The Washington Redskins branding change isn’t sitting well with everyone.
The son of Walter “Blackie” Wetzel, the Native American man who designed the Redskins’s current logo, called the change “hard to take.” The logo has been used by the team since 1971.
“Everyone was pretty upset [about the change]. Everyone understood the name change. We were all on board with that,” Lance Wetzel said. “Once they weren’t going to use the logo, it was hard. It takes away from the Native Americans. When I see that logo, I take pride in it. You look at the depiction of the Redskins logo, and it’s of a true Native American. I always felt it was representing my people. That’s not gone.”
Blackie Wetzel, a member of the National Congress of American Indians, was raised on the Blackfeet Reservation in Montana, according to WUSA9. The Redskins logo is a depiction of John “Two Guns” White Calf, a Blackfeet chief.
Lance Wetzel said the logo reminded football fans that Native Americans, a “forgotten people,” exist.
“The Native Americans were forgotten people. That logo lets people know these people exist,” Wetzel said. “If it were changed and it removed any derogatory feelings toward any person, then I think it’s a win. I don’t want that logo to be associated in a negative way, ever.”
The Redskins have made efforts to educate fans on Blackfeet history, including highlighting indigenous singers and honoring Blackie Wetzel at a game in 2018.
The Redskins announced Monday that the name and logo depicting a Native American would be retired but have not announced a replacement for either.
The Navajo Nation has suggested the name be changed to the “Washington Code Talkers” in honor of the indigenous soldiers who used their languages to help the United States win World War II.
