If the typically liberal NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell backs up a political stance, laughter can usually be heard around the sports world. But -- in this case -- Goodell had a surprisingly refreshing stance on a hotly debated topic.
Goodell joined Mike Golic and Trey Wingo Tuesday on ESPN's "Golic and Wingo Show" to talk about this Sunday's Super Bowl matchup between the Philadelphia Eagles and the New England Patriots and "the state of the NFL" in general. One particular topic that the commissioner spoke about with Golic and Wingo is grabbing headlines.
The topic was broached after Major League Baseball (MLB) announced on Monday that the Cleveland Indians would no longer be using their iconic "Chief Wahoo" logo on its merchandise and gameday uniforms.
The Washington Redskins team -- and its owner Daniel Snyder -- have been under the microscope for years over the use of the Redskins name. People who are typically offended by everything call the use of the name "Redskins" offensive to indigenous people in the U.S., some even going so far as to say it's a racial slur. The Redskins name has had constant calls for a change over the years to something less offensive.
Goodell doesn't see that change happening any time soon.
"So I think the focus that we've had is in any way is this insulting to Native Americans, and I think that poll is overwhelmingly positive that they don't," Goodell said. "I think that the Redskins have done a tremendous amount of work here and I think Dan [Snyder] continues to believe in the name and I don't see him changing that perspective."
Goodell even brought up a 2016 Washington Post poll in which only 1 in 10 Native Americans polled found the Redskins name offensive. The poll data showed that a mere nine percent of those surveyed found the Redskins name as a personal affront.
"And I think the interesting thing is that [Redskins owner] Dan Snyder has really worked in the Native American community to better understand their perspective," Goodell told Golic and Wingo. "I think it was a Washington Post poll that came out in [2016] that said nine out 10 Native Americans do not take that in a negative fashion -- the Redskins' logo or the Redskins' name, and they support it."
There you have it, folks. If a liberal joins your side of the politically correct debate at any time, you take that ball and run it into the endzone.
To listen to Goodell's full interview, click here.
H/T: NFL.com