McCollum Responds to Continued Use of Racist Native American Mascot By NFL Owner Dan Snyder

Washington, DC – Dan Snyder, the owner of the NFL’s Washington football team, released a letter last night which continued to ignore calls to change his team’s racist name while announcing a public relations gambit targeting Native Americans. Congresswoman Betty McCollum (D-MN) released the following statement in response:

“For almost eighty years the National Football League and its Washington franchise have exploited a racist Indian caricature, turning it into a billion dollar brand while completely ignoring the needs of real Native American children, families, and elders.

“Now, team owner Dan Snyder wants to keep profiting from his team’s racist brand and use those profits to attempt to buy the silence of Native Americans with a foundation that is equal parts public relations scheme and tax deduction.

“The NFL and its Washington franchise’s legacy of exploitation of Native American identity is real as has been noted by tribal leaders, national Native American organizations, journalists, and Members of Congress. Dan Snyder should immediately change the racist name of his NFL team and then commit a portion of his profits to addressing the issues facing Native American communities across the country.”

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Congresswoman Betty McCollum is a member of the House Appropriations Committee.
She is Democratic Co-Chair of the Congressional Native American Caucus