“Why is it OK for Chiefs fans to play Indian?” – Acoma Pueblo activist questions franchise after Super Bowl win
The Washington Redskins saw ire from activists for decades over their team name before changing it. However, the Kansas City Chiefs could be the next center of controversy. Kansas City's team name and theme is centered around native Americans, who are said to be offended by the cheers, chants, and traditions of fans.
According to KCUR, Rhonda LeValdo questioned the double-standard between how her people were treated as the area was originally colonized and what fans do at games. LeValdo is a Haskell Indian Nations University professor and an Acoma Pueblo activist. Here's how she put it:
Curious. How come the Kansas City @Chiefs, the Atlanta @Braves and the Chicago @NHLBlackhawks are good to go—but the Cleveland Indians (now the @CleGuardians), and the Washington Redskins (now the @Commanders), are not?
#SuperBowlLVII
“Our people were rounded up, kids stolen from their families, sent to boarding schools … and stripped of their culture and identity. Their religion was outlawed, they could not practice their ceremonies, they couldn't sing their songs. So why is it OK for the fans in Kansas City to play Indian, when our people weren't allowed to be Indian?”
Will Patrick Mahomes' team change its name during his career?
Kansas City Chiefs' team name celebrates 60th birthday in 2023
In 1963, the team was born as the Kansas City Chiefs. After three years as the Dallas Texans, the team moved north and changed its name. Of course, 1963 was the same year the Super Bowl era began. In 1962, in the final year of the team's name as the Dallas Texans, they won a championship.
By 1970, they would get to two more Super Bowls, while losing one. It took until 2019 for their next appearance in the Big Game. Throughout that time, the name of the team hasn't changed. However, with the Washington Redskins recently changing their name to Washington Commanders, Kansas City remains the last Indian-themed team in the NFL.
Will activists and fans find a way to pressure the team into changing its identity? Considering it took decades for the Redskins to succumb to pressure, the battle for attrition could still be in its infancy stages.
Why do the Kansas City Chiefs get to stay the Chiefs, but the Washington Redskins have to become the Commanders and the Cleveland Indians have to become the Guardians?
If any of the above quotes are used, please credit KCUR and H/T Sportskeeda.