NFLPA’s Smith weighs in on Redskins name; social media goes into overdrive - The Washington Post

NFLPA’s Smith weighs in on Redskins name; social media goes into overdrive - The Washington Post: The executive director of the NFL Players Association said Thursday that the Washington Redskins name conveys “racial insensitivity,” while the team launched a social-media effort aimed at rallying support behind the franchise.

NFLPA Executive Director DeMaurice Smith offered his thoughts in a statement to The Post, issued in response to a letter sent by Native American groups to all NFL players earlier this week. That letter had asked the players to support a name change by the team.

Smith stopped short of pledging any direct action by players or the
union, saying his conversations on the matter with the Redskins and NFL
Commissioner Roger Goodell should remain private.

“I have conveyed
my thoughts on this issue both to Roger and to the team,” Smith said in
the statement. “They understand our position and I believe that those
conversations are most effective when they can remain private. As I have
stated publicly, though, I do not believe anyone should inflict pain,
embarrass or insult, especially given the racial insensitivity of the
term ‘Redskin.’