An Open Letter To Roger Goodell

*FAN SUBMISSION by Bo Davidson of Oklahoma.*

Courtesy: NY Post

In the wake of the Donald Sterling controversy, we are a left with an opportunity. NBA Commissioner Adam Silver has taken a strong stance against racism and discrimination. Commissioner Silver’s powerful position has moved the NBA into a leadership role in race relations and should be a model for other sports associations. Overnight, Adam Silver has easily become the most popular and respected commissioner in all of major sports.

So I am left to wonder where the NFL fits within this framework. The NBA has drawn a definitive line in the sand. Racist bile will not be tolerated amongst the ownership, even in private conversations. How then, can the NFL continue to tolerate and even promote the Dan Snyder’s Washington Redskins? Snyder and the NFL are profiting off the backs and the blood of the most underserved, underprivileged, and underrepresented minorities in the United States. Stereotyping native people, while ignoring the genocide of Native Americans for profit has no place in the 21st century.

Recently you said the majority of Fans prefer the name Redskins, largely because of tradition. While that may be true, it does not make it any less offensive to the Native population. Redskins is a racial slur. There once was a time when the majority of Americans favored segregation. The majority opinion is not always morally right. The protection of minorities from abuse by majorities is vital to all peoples who seek the American Dream.

The example Silver has set should be emulated throughout professional sports. The NBA has made a strong stand against bigotry. Will the NFL?

This is an opportunity for you, Commissioner Goodell. Silver’s stance has placed the ball clearly in your court. Sports Leagues have the moral responsibility to take action against those who promote bigotry. Snyder’s insistence on retaining a racial slur as the name for his franchise places responsibility on the NFL to ensure minorities are protected. I call on you, Mr. Goodell to move the NFL forward; to a place where blatant bigotry is no longer allowed or exploited for profit. There is no room for it in sports, professional or otherwise.