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Washington Football Team bans fans from wearing Native American headdresses, face paint
The Washington Football Team announced Wednesday that attendees of games will be barred from wearing Native American attire.
A year after removing its old nickname, the Washington Football team is finally taking a stand on fans dressing as Native Americans.
The team announced Wednesday that attendees of games will be barred from wearing Native American attire.
“We are excited to welcome everyone back wearing their Burgundy & Gold,” the team said. “However, Native American inspired ceremonial headdresses or face paint may no longer be worn into the stadium.”
The team changed its name in 2020 following years of outcry from the Native American community.
The final straw came when over a dozen Native American leaders and organizations sent a letter to NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell to get rid of the name last July. The following week the team announced its decision to get rid of the old name.
“We have 89 years of history in this league and failing to acknowledge our past use of Native imagery in the consideration of the new name wouldn’t be mindful of the individuals and communities that were hurt by the previous name,” team president Jason Wright wrote for the team’s website last month.
“We’ve made significant changes in our organization and our culture, and our new name must reflect these changes. To that end, we will choose an identity that unequivocally departs from any use of or approximate linkage to Native American imagery.”
The team has also made some other policy changes for fans in regard to COVID-19. While tailgating will return, the team recommends unvaccinated fans to wear masks and while making it optional for those vaccinated.
As for the on-field product, head coach Ron Rivera expressed his frustrations with his squad last week for its low vaccination rate.
At the time of his remarks, the team was reportedly 60 percent vaccinated against COVID, one of the lowest rates across the league. They’ve recently seen an increase, and which Rivera is encouraged about.
“It is [stressful]. We all feel that way,” Rivera said. “But I know there are good numbers out there, and we’re moving in that direction, so we’re feeling good about that.”
This story originally appeared on: NyPost - Author:eorrisnyp
