Redskins GM answers senators, name not changing

Redskins general manager Bruce Allen says his team is not changing its name. (USATSI)

If anyone out there thought a letter signed by 50 US senators was going to be enough to get the Redskins to change their name, they thought wrong. Washington general manager Bruce Allen responded to the Senate letter Friday with one of his own that emphasizes why the Redskins won't be changing their name.

In Allen's letter, addressed to Senate majority leader Harry Reid, Allen writes that, "The Redskins team name continues to carry a deep and purposeful meaning."

Reid was one of 50 US senators who signed a letter and sent it to Roger Goodell urging the NFL commissioner to force the Redskins to change their name. In the letter, the senators pointed out that the comments made by Los Angeles Clippers owner Donald Sterling should be a catalyst for change.

"The despicable comments made by Mr. Sterling have opened up a national conversation about race relations. We believe this conversation is an opportunity for the NFL to take action to remove the racial slur from the name of one of its marquee franchises."

In his letter, Allen went through most of the talking points that owner Daniel Snyder has been using over the past few months. Allen noted that the term Redskins "originated as a Native American expression of solidarity."

Allen also claimed that a majority of Native Americans don't find the name offensive and that the Redskins logo was actually designed by Native Americans. Allen also wrote that he hopes Sen. Reid will attend a Redskins game this season. You can read the entire letter here.

When it comes to a name change, Goodell has said the league is listening, but he also said in September that "ultimately, it is Dan [Snyder]'s decision." Snyder has said repeatedly that he has no plans to change the team's name.

NFL Hot News

Saints QB Drew Brees wants to play into his 40s



Saints quarterback Drew Brees is 35 years old. He has played for 13 years in the NFL. Can you believe that he will play at least five more seasons? Brees would like to believe so."Do I hope I can play into my 40s? Yes, I do," Brees told Brett Martel of the Associated Press. "As long as I'm healthy and playing at a high level, then why not? I certainly don't take it for granted and know that obviously you've got to prove yourself every year."



Brees is indeed still playing at a high level. He has made reaching 5,000 yards easy, topping that mark each of the past three years. He hasn't thrown for fewer than 33 touchdowns since 2007, and he has completed more than 65 percent of his passes during that time. Darren Sproles is gone, and Marques Colston is a year older, and I'm not worried about Brees one bit. He'll be fine and helped out by newer contributors such as Brandin Cooks and Joseph Morgan. Anyone is foolish to think he won't lose some of his skill as he creeps closer to 40 but for now, Brees definitely remains a top-three fantasy quarterback.