National | Sports

Team tribute to Navajo Code Talkers stirs controversy online

Tuesday, November 26, 2013

For #NFLSalute & Native American Heritage month, the #Redskins celebrate & honor members of the Navajo Code Talkers pic.twitter.com/Cjn7f6wTgk
— Washington Redskins (@Redskins) November 26, 2013

The Washington professional football team paid tribute to the Code Talkers from the Navajo Nation on Monday, drawing controversy online from critics of the team's racist mascot.

Four members of the Navajo Code Talkers Association -- including Peter MacDonald, a former four-term chairman of the tribe -- appeared on the sidelines at the game during halftime. Three were dressed in the team's gear.

"Dan Snyder is a monster. What a disgrace," one user on Twitter said in response, referring to the team's owner.

The team produced a video in which one of the Code Talkers said "Hail to the Redskins." The video also featured President Barack Obama, who has spoken out against the name.

Another user on Twitter called the video "shameful and pathetic."

The tribute occurred after Native American activists held a protest before the game. They were joined by African-American and Hispanic activists who called the "R-word" a racial slur.

Get the Story:
Redskins Honor Code Talkers (Redskins Official Blog 11/25)
DC Sports Bog: Redskins honor members of the Navajo Code Talkers Association (The Washington Post 11/25)
Code Talker Tribute at Redskins Game Stirs Controversy (NBC Washington 11/26)
What Controversy? Washington Redskins Honor Native Americans During Game (Time 11/26)