Sen. John McCain, Arizona Republican, said Friday that he’d “probably” change the name of the Washington Redskins if he owned the team but that he personally isn’t offended by the name.
He said if he were Redskins owner Daniel Snyder, he’d sit down for a dialogue with Native Americans on the issue.
“I’d have a dialogue, and if they think it’s that offensive and terrible, I would certainly, probably — I’m not the owner, he has the rights of an owner — but frankly, I would probably change the name,” he said on “The Dan Patrick Show.”
“Myself, I’m not offended,” he added. “But there are Native Americans who are.”
Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, Nevada Democrat, took to the Senate floor this week to call on NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell and Mr. Snyder to change the team’s name in the wake of Los Angeles Clippers owner Donald Sterling’s lifetime ban from the NBA over racist remarks he was recorded saying.
Mr. Reid told The Washington Post in March he thinks the name will be changed within three years, but Mr. Snyder has said he’ll never change it.
Mr. McCain said he was glad the NBA punished Mr. Sterling the way it did, calling his recorded remarks “unacceptable,” but said he’s not sure he would connect the situation with Mr. Sterling to the controversy surrounding the Redskins team name.
• David Sherfinski can be reached at dsherfinski@washingtontimes.com.
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