Harry Reid Says He Won't Attend Redskins Game Until Team Changes Name

Fox News -- Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid says he won't attend a Washington Redskins home game until the football team changes its controversial name.

In a letter late last week to the team's president, Reid called the Redskins name a racial slur that disparages the American people. The Nevada Democrat, who said he represents 27 tribes in his state, rejected Bruce Allen's invitation to a Redskins home game until the team does "the right thing" and changes its name.

"I will not stand idly by while a professional sports team promotes a racial slur as a team name and disparages the American people," Reid said in the letter. "Nor will I consider your invitation to attend a home game until your organization chooses to do the right thing and change its offensive name."

Reid said the matter is "personal" for him.

Last month, the Redskins responded to Senate Democrats who said the nickname is a racial slur, saying it is “respectful” to Native Americans and suggested the lawmakers didn't have all of the facts.

In a letter to Reid, Allen wrote: "Our use of `Redskins' as the name of our football team for more than 80 years has always been respectful of and shown reverence toward the proud legacy and traditions of Native Americans."

Redskins owner Dan Snyder has vowed never to change the name.

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Blog author's comments - Harry Reid promising not to attend Washington Redskins games has to be exciting news for Redskins fans. The games just got more desirable knowing Reid will not be at the stadium. I doubt very much if Reid would attend a game even if the 'Redskins' changed their name. So now Redskin games will be that much better with one less, arrogant, elitist, evil little man in the stands. But this is not over; Harry Reid does not like to lose. Hopefully Reid is the minority leader in the Senate after the 2014 elections.

Fifty Senate Democrats Urge NFL To Endorse Name Change For Redskins

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UDATE TO POST at 10:09 a.m. ET
U.S. Patent Office Cancels Redskins Trademark Registration, Says Name Is Disparaging
Blog author's comments - In my opinion this ruling has Obama and Reid written all over it. 'The ruling does not mean that the Redskins have to change the name of the team. It does affect whether the team and the NFL can make money from merchandising because it limits the team’s legal options when others use the logos and the name on T shirts, sweatshirts, beer glasses and license plate holders.'

'In addition, Native Americans have won at this stage before, in 1999. But the team and the NFL won an appeal to federal court in 2009. The court did not rule on the merits of the case, however, but threw it out, saying that the plaintiffs didn’t have standing to file it. The team is likely to make the same appeal this time.'

UPDATE TO POST at 2:15 p.m. ET
Redskins Defy Trademark Ruling, Say They'll Defend Name