WASHINGTON, DC – The National Congress of American Indians (NCAI) applauds Senator Harry Reid (D-NV) for his firm statement on the floor of the Senate today. After speaking about the morally responsible decision made by the NBA, Senator Reid spoke about Daniel Snyder’s team and encouraged the NFL to make the decision Snyder is unwilling to pursue.

Senator Harry Reid (D-NV):

“It is untoward of Daniel Snyder to try and hide behind tradition. Tradition? That’s what he says in refusing to change the name of the team. Madame President, tradition – what tradition? The tradition of racism is all that name leaves in its wake. Mr. Snyder knows that in sports the only tradition that matters is winning. So I urge Daniel Snyder to do what’s morally right and remove this degrading term from the league by changing his team’s name.

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But since Snyder fails to show any leadership, the National Football League should take an assist from the NBA and pick up the slack. It would be a slam-dunk, Madame President! For far too long the NFL has been sitting on its hands, doing nothing while an entire population of Americans has been denigrated. So I say to Commissioner Roger Goodell – I believe Roger Goodell is a good man, but it’s time for this good man to act. Remove this hateful term from your league’s vocabulary. Follow the NBA’s example and rid the league of bigotry and racism. Your fans will support it.”

Watch the clip here.

The NFL and Daniel Snyder must now follow in the footsteps of NBA Commissioner Adam Silver and those who have made the right decision in standing against racial bigotry. NCAI is committed to ending this era where racial slurs, mocking caricatures, and rampant stereotyping are acceptable.