Dr. Chewbakka & Frank DeFord, Unite!

When you're right, you're right. But only when you're really right does a senior editor for the world's preeminent sports magazine agree with you and say so on NPR. Listen here.

On today's Morning Edition, Frank DeFord advocates the Washington Redskins changing their name. DeFord cites the inherent racism implied when we dress up for games in large head-dresses without recognizing the plight of the modern American Indian.

For example (Note: LakotaMall)

80% unemployment


Poorest county in the USA. Average family income is just $3,700 per year.



High rates of alcoholism, heart disease, and cancer.



Extremely high rate of diabetes. Almost half of the population over 40 on the Pine Ridge Reservation have diabetes.



Life expectancy for men is 48 years. Life expectancy for women is 52.



Highest infant mortality rate in the USA.

I felt the need to post those statistics becuase they are very real, and are central to Mr. Deford's point. We still, after all we've learned, want to recognize Indians as whooping, tee-pee living proto-hippies, whose culture is alive and well in some distant land that we'll see someday on that trip we're going to take out west. They are no longer that poeple.

Now - my theory is a little different. I think we need to change the name because they've put an ancient Indian curse on us, and until we get rid of "Redskins", to the playoffs, we will not go. This makes Mr. DeFord and I somewhat unlikely bedfellows in our fight, but I think he'll be glad, in the long run, to have the strength of the wookies behind him.

Granted, neither of us have any ideas for other names, and the last time a Washington sports franchise changed their name (from the Bullets to the Wizards) the result was a team with the stupidest looking logo in the history of sport. We'd have to change the fight song, too, and that sucks. (BTW: Great link about the history of the tune here)

Wait a second...a mascot is supposed to be strong, right? Someone you'd want to lead you into battle, right? Ohhh...Danny Snyder, do I have the non-offensive mascot for you!