American Samoa delegate urges Redskins name change

Del. Eni Faleomavaega (D), American Samoa’s non-voting representative in Congress, on Wednesday took to the House floor to blast the Redskins owners for resisting a team name change.

Fifty senators signed a letter to NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell last week to urge changing the name of the Washington Redskins. But Goodell, Washington Redskins owner Dan Snyder and Washington Redskins President Bruce Allen have all argued that Native Americans do not find the name offensive.

{mosads}Faleomavaega said that notion pushed by the Redskins leadership was untrue.

“Give me a break,” Faleomavaega said. “Shame on Mr. Allen, shame on Mr. Goodell, shame on Mr. Snyder for suggesting the Redskins is a name of honor.” 

Faleomavaega, who signed a similar letter last year from 10 House members to Goodell and Snyder, said the team name was racially insensitive. He argued that the NFL should follow the lead of the NBA in punishing Los Angeles Clippers owner Donald Sterling for making racially offensive remarks.

“Why is the NFL so hesitant? Why is Mr. Snyder so slow to do the same thing?” Faleomavaega said. 

“Shame on Mr. Snyder for perpetuating this racism and bigotry. He should know better and do better,” he added.