Bob Costas, in the powerful halftime slot of NBC's "Sunday Night Football," joined in the growing sentiment that the Washington Redskins' nickname is offensive and the team should change it.
In an even-handed essay, Costas said that the name is demeaning, despite no ill will being intended by anyone involved with the Redskins, including owner Daniel Snyder, or their fans. President Barack Obama recently said he would consider changing the name if he was the owner of the team, and NFL commissioner Roger Goodell said the league needs to consider the issue.
During his halftime essay, Costas brought up complaints about other team names like Braves, Warriors or Chiefs, and how that seems like "political correctness run amok," but said the Redskins nickname is different.
"These nicknames honor, rather than demean," Costas said.
Costas said names like Blackhawks, Seminoles and Chippewas are trickier, but are OK if the "symbols are appropriately respectful," something MLB's Cleveland Indians and its Chief Wahoo mascot haven't always lived up to.
Costas, whose halftime essays on end-zone celebrations in 2011 and gun control in 2012 became hot-button topics, closed his thoughts on the Redskins' name by saying it can justifiably be seen as offensive.
Here's the full transcript of Costas' essay:
"With Washington playing Dallas here tonight, it seems like an appropriate time to acknowledge the ongoing controversy about the name “Redskins.”
"Let's start here. There is no reason to believe that owner Daniel Snyder, or any official or player from his team, harbors animus toward Native Americans or wishes to disrespect them. This is undoubtedly also true of the vast majority of those who don't think twice about the longstanding moniker. And in fact, as best can be determined, even a majority of Native Americans say they are not offended.
Should NBC get involved in this political issue?
Sometimes you just got to do what you got to do . .
