Redskins name change: DC council member proposes team change their name

Redskins name change: Councilmember David Grosso, an at-large independent, says the name is 'racist and derogatory,' and that 'it's time to make a change.'

Washington Redskins' Marko Mitchell puts his helmet on in 2009.

Alex Brandon/AP/File

April 30, 2013

A D.C. Councilmember plans to introduce a resolution that calls on the WashingtonRedskins to change their name.

Councilmember David Grosso (GRAH'-so), an at-large independent, says the name is "racist and derogatory," and that "it's time to make a change."

Grosso says a majority of his fellow councilmembers have agreed to co-sponsor the nonbinding resolution.

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The team's nickname has been the subject of renewed debate in recent months. A group of Native Americans has launched a new court battle to deny the team federal trademark protection, which would essentially force a name change.

Grosso's resolution suggests "Redtails" as a new nickname. He says it would honor the Tuskegee Airmen and allow the team to maintain its fight song and color scheme with a few minor changes.