Off-Topic Forum

I'm trying to come up with a new name for RoyalChief.   Suggestions are welcome.

How about the Washington Thinskins?

Atlanta Braves were the Milwaukee Braves nee Boston Braves. Web mentions the team got its name from owner's affiliation with a NYC political machine that used an indian with war bonnet as their logo, but I always heard that it was such named to honour a group of natives war heroes called the Braves.

You can also add the Edmonton Eskimos to the list.  One of their major sponsors, a insurance company, broke ties with the team.

Moreover, I suspect that the White Sox will need to change name as well, because wearing white socks in sandals is a big no no... :)

I definitely get why the Redskins name is perceived to be offensive, but I'm not completely aware of all the contexts of how the term was used. That and the Cleveland Indians, if they changed names, I wouldn't lose any sleep over. I never took offense to the names, but I guess I'm not directly impacted by them.

I've got to say I've always liked the look of the Redskins uniforms, and the colour scheme can always remain after other changes. When it comes to the logo, would it be considered acceptabe to use if the skin was lightened (if you called them the Warriors or something along those lines)? Older versions appeared more tanned instead of straight-up red/maroon.

In my neck of the woods, there's pretty much annual discussion about the CFL's Edmonton Eskimos. People like the EE on their helmets, but I haven't heard a good nickname that fits. The Eagles? Elephants? Explorers?

Socks were literally invented to go with sandals. The ancient Romans wore sandals all the time...when they conquered up into Germania (Germany), Gaul (now France) and Brittania (now England) their feet got cold and socks were invented. (Soccus in latin). 

As for the team names, I see where they are coming from for Washington's name, and the (former) logo of the Cleveland Indians.

The Chicago Blackhawks is named for a very specific person, in honor of him. To change that name would be a terrible dishonor to him, and really would be denying history. Eliminating all reference to the people who were here pre-Columbus is racist, period. That's a direct attack on my ancestors. 

I am a direct descendant of Wyandanch, sachem of the Montaukett tribe. He is my 17th great-grandfather on my father's side. This is fully documented as well, with a full paper trail. 

Let's see if this works...

There is unrest in the forest
There is trouble with the trees
For the maples want more sunlight
And the oaks ignore their pleas

The trouble with the maples
And they're quite convinced they're right
They say the oaks are just too lofty
And they grab up all the light
But the oaks can't help their feelings
If they like the way they're made
And they wonder why the maples
Can't be happy in their shade?

There is trouble in the forest
And the creatures all have fled
As the maples scream, "oppression"
And the oaks just shake their heads

So the maples formed a union
And demanded equal rights
"The oaks are just too greedy
We will make them give us light"
Now there's no more oak oppression
For they passed a noble law
And the trees are all kept equal
By hatchet
Axe
And saw

Source: LyricFind

Songwriters: Geddy Lee / Alex Lifeson / Neil Peart

The Trees lyrics © Ole Media Management Lp

That comment made me think of this.

I've felt Washington should have changed their name years ago, the others I haven't looked into much aside from knowing Cleveland did phase out Chief Wahoo years ago.  On twitter the other day I wrote my thoughts on it and its basically while I see the Chiefs being not offensive at all, I won't lose sleep on teams being renamed.  There is much more concerning issues in sports than worrying about a team changing their name.  Fans usually don't care if a team changes their logo or colors every few years and rush out to buy the new merchandise, so I don't see it too different as that.

Maybe in a few years more US teams will adopt names similar to European soccer and the MLS has done.  Sporting KC does sound better to me than the Kansas City Wiz or Wizards.

My father was pretty upset when his Alma Mater, The University of Illinois, was forced to give up Chief Illiniwek as their mascot. Arkansas State changed their nickname from the Indians to the Red Wolves about a decade ago.