Mike Ditka Says People Who Want Redskins Name Changed Are 'Politically Correct Idiots'
Mike Ditka, a former coach for the Chicago Bears and hall of famer in the National Football League, has stated that efforts to change the Washington Redskins name come from "politically correct idiots."
Ditka, who's an ESPN analyst, was recently interviewed by the website Redskins Historian about the name controversy.
"It's all the political correct idiots in America, that's all it is. It's got nothing to do with anything else. We're going to change something because we can," said Ditka.
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"It's fine to protest. That's your right, if you don't like it, protest. You have a right to do that, but to change the name, that's ridiculous."
Ditka also told the interviewer that the name "Redskins" was "said out of reverence, out of pride to the American Indian."
"Even though it was called a Redskin, what are you going to call them, a Brownskin? This is so stupid it's appalling," said Ditka.
"I hope that owner keeps fighting for it and never changes it, because the Redskins are part of an American football history, and it should never be anything but the Washington Redskins. That's the way it is."
For years, if not decades, the controversy over the Washington Redskins team name and mascot has ebbed and flowed in the public consciousness.
The most recent wave of attention came after an interview Snyder gave to USA Today in May 2013 where he declared that the name will not be changed while he is in charge.
"We'll never change the name. … It's that simple. NEVER — you can use caps," said Snyder.
Many notable figures, including President Barack Obama, Democratic Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid and sportscaster Bob Costas have come out against the team name.
Earlier this week, the California Assembly voted 51 to 4 on a resolution urging Snyder to change the name of the Redskins.
"… The legislature urges the National Football League to join the National Congress of American Indians and other organizations, which represent more than 2 million Native Americans across the country and more than 300 tribes in the United States, in calling for a name change for the Washington, D.C. NFL team," resolved the resolution.
"[Also] the legislature calls upon the owners of NFL teams based in California to urge the Washington, D.C. NFL team owner Dan Snyder and NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell to adhere to the wishes of the millions of people who have joined Indian Country in urging that they change the team mascot …"
