In a new letter, Democratic Sen. Maria Cantwell of Washington State and Republican Rep. Tom Cole of Oklahoma, are calling on NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell and the league to support a name change for the Washington Redskins. The two say that the NFL is “on the wrong side of history,” adding that the league can “no longer ignore” that the name is simply “a racial slur.”
Responding on Twitter Monday, Lawrence tied this news to the fact NFL-draft prospect Michael Sam has confirmed that he is gay. He tweeted:
Will everyone tweeting support for Michael Sam now please tweet opposition to name of DC's NFL team? Can someone in White House start this?
— Lawrence O'Donnell (@Lawrence) February 10, 2014
Lawrence also asked this question of his followers:
What do defenders of DC's NFL team name tell their kids when their kids ask what the team name means?
— Lawrence O'Donnell (@Lawrence) February 10, 2014
Here are some of the best responses to Lawrence’s tweets today:
@Lawrence @SeanChristopher It means Indians. "Why name a team after Indians?" Because Indians are courageous warriors. Oh.. Okay.
— TripleJ (@TripleJ666) February 10, 2014
@Lawrence Yes, D.C. should be ashamed of itself. #therword #offensive #NFL
— attica locke (@atticalocke) February 10, 2014
@Lawrence why don't supporters of the name say "redskins shouldn't be offended" instead of " native Americans shouldn't be offended"?
— brij (@brijshow) February 10, 2014
.@Maggyw519 – I think @Lawrence is looking for someone other than a "West Wing" character to step up to the plate.








