After Redskins’ Trademark Canceled, #NewRedskinsName Becomes Twitter Game
Earlier today, a landmark ruling canceled six federal trademarks held by the Washington Redskins, with a U.S. Patent Office board finding that the term was considered offensive when the initial issuance occurred.
Over on Twitter, the Redskins ruling — one which the team is very likely to appeal and is unlikely to cause an immediate name change — was the subject of much discussion… and joking.
As Redskins fans and Twitter users tweeted about the ruling, the hashtag game #NewRedskinsName was born. And, as you can imagine, the tweets sent under it aren’t exactly politically correct.
Political correctness was largely at issue in many of the Tweets, where users opined that the move was overly sensitive:
Washington Everybody Gets a Ribbon Team. #NewRedskinsName Superbowl winners hurt feelings
— Chris #Bossy McCoy (@ChrisYMcCoy) June 18, 2014
The Washington Violent Patriarchy #NewRedskinsName
— Lee Stranahan (@stranahan) June 18, 2014
#NewRedskinsName via Rush…. the Washington Thinskins #tcot #ccot #opSLAM #rednationrising #RT
— £ib~$£@Y€® (@KarrattiPaul) October 7, 2013
Others joked that it was a long overdue update:
Washington Hey We’re Not Racists I Mean We Have a Black QB Guys #NewRedskinsName
— BW Smith (@bdubsmitty) June 18, 2014
Others felt the decision was a result of government overreach, chiming in:
#NewRedskinsName Washington Regulators
— fluffy, 11-B, 1 ea (@fluffyAoSHQ) June 18, 2014
#NewRedskinsName Washington Cronies
— Category0ne (@Category0ne) June 18, 2014
‘Washington Butthurt’: Idea for a #NewRedskinsName? Better clear it with these guys first [pic] http://t.co/TRYOC1q6OH
— SAUSALITOTEAPARTY (@SAUSALITOTPARTY) June 18, 2014
#NewRedskinsName The Washington Lobbyists…
— Curse of the Marino (@TheMarinoCurse) June 18, 2014
#NewRedskinsName The Washington Fascists.
— HH (@hch242) June 18, 2014
Still more people genuinely tried to suggest a new name for the Redskins under the #NewRedskinsName hashtag, adding:
#NewRedskinsName Washington Reds. Simple
— Webb (@Riche_Webb) June 18, 2014
Washington Patent Pendings #NewRedskinsName
— R. Saffer (@Amysbabydaddy) June 18, 2014
#NewRedskinsName Washington Natives. Same syllables for the fight song. Same logo. Not offensive.
— Maria Lyon (@mlyon24) June 18, 2014
#NewRedskinsName Washington Warriors
— Eric Schroeder (@iEric82) June 18, 2014
Some thought the change was one NFL fans shouldn’t hold their breath for:
I’m like 75% sure they’re going to try to get away with Washington RDSKNS. #NewRedskinsName
— Jeff Howe (@jeffunscripted) June 18, 2014
However, this tweet:
Redskins say patent ruling: “Will have no effect at all on the team’s ownership of and right to use the Redskins name/logo”
— Will Brinson (@WillBrinson) June 18, 2014
… may suggest that calls for a #NewRedskinsName are premature, as the team may not choose to rename despite the major ruling regarding their trademark issued this morning.
What do you think of the #NewRedskinsName debate?