Reid prods NFL commissioner to ‘act against racism,’ change Redskins name

Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) took to Twitter on Tuesday to prod the NFL to change the Washington Redskins’ team name.

Reid questioned NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell on whether he has the authority to “act against racism” in the same way as the NBA, which recently banned Los Angeles Clippers owner Donald Sterling for life and is attempting to force him to sell the team, after he made racially insensitive remarks.

Commissioner Goodell, do you believe you have the authority to act against racism in the NFL like Mr. Silver did in the NBA? #AskCommish

— Senator Harry Reid (@SenatorReid) May 6, 2014

Reid’s question was posed along with hundreds of others, while Goodell conducted a question and answer session on the social networking site.

DON’T FORGET: @nflcommish is taking over @nfl TODAY (1:30pm ET)! Send him your Draft Qs using #AskCommish! pic.twitter.com/wgzA99RK6H

— NFL (@nfl) May 6, 2014

Native American groups say the Redskins’ name is racist, and a number of Democratic lawmakers have publicly called on the team to change to another name. 

Reid also broached the subject on the Senate floor last week, when he said the NFL should force the Redskins owner to remove the “hateful” term, following the NBA’s lead. 

Reid came out against the Redskins name last year, telling The Hill that owner Dan Snyder was “shortsighted” on the issue. He has since predicted the team will change its name within three years and has called on the league office to get more involved.

Goodell answered questions about the NFL draft and other issues including the league’s recent ban on goalpost dunking, but he ended the chat without addressing Reid.

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