By Albert Lin
A nonprofit organization that works closely with the National Football League to improve the hiring of head coaches and general managers from underrepresented groups is now calling for the Washington Redskins franchise to change its name.
The Fritz Pollard Alliance, which meets with NFL officials every December to present a list of qualified coaching and front-office candidates from underrepresented groups, on Monday went public with its decision to take a stand against the Washington club’s nickname. In a letter to its members (coaches and front-office staffers throughout the league), Chairman John Wooten and Executive Director Harry Carson wrote, “As the NFL continues to move in the direction of respect and dignity, one of its teams carrying this name cuts glaringly against the grain. It hurts the league and it hurts us all.”
