During a recent NFL Network broadcast, Jason Kelce seemed to think he’d made a major faux pas while analyzing the game between the Washington Commanders and the Indianapolis Colts. His supposed mistake? Referring to the team as the Washington Redskins.
This might not seem like a big deal to the average person, especially since for many years the team was known by that name until it faced backlash labeling it as a racist term.
Opinions on the term “Redskins” vary widely among Native Americans, with some finding it offensive and others not. It’s, um, a complex issue, to say the least.
Back to Kelce—who, by the way, is still adjusting to his new role as a broadcaster three years after leaving his position as a center with the Philadelphia Eagles. He’s immensely knowledgeable about offensive line play, which, let’s be honest, is a strong asset in his commentary.
In the booth, he passionately discussed the Commanders’ secondary, noting, “Washington’s secondary has been great on third down.” He highlighted the importance of tackling effectively in man-to-man coverage to avoid giving up big plays, but then he accidentally slipped in the old name, saying, “The Redskins right now are doing a great job…”
His co-host, play-by-play announcer Dave Pasch, quickly reminded him, “Commanders. You did it.” It was a light-hearted moment, but Kelce reacted as if he had crossed a serious line, exclaiming, “Oh, my gosh! I almost made it out.”
The three commentators had actually joked before the game about who might accidentally say “Redskins” first. It seems their prediction came true.
This incident, however, underscores a broader conversation about the team’s name change. If you were to survey fans, chances are many would advocate for a return to the Redskins name, which was the franchise’s identity from 1937 to 2020. Of course, opinions differ significantly, especially among those who believe the name should be permanently retired.
Team owner Josh Harris, aligned with the change, ultimately makes the decisions. Yet, it’s clear that erasing history is, well, pretty complicated. The Redskins had a strong fan base, and Kelce competed against them for many years.
Many former players proudly remember wearing the traditional helmets adorned with the Indian head logo and fondly recall the “Hail to the Redskins” fight song during games.
On the broadcast, Pasch’s light approach made the moment feel casual rather than overly serious. Kelce’s slip-up? Not a massive deal in the grand scheme of things, really. Some might disapprove, but most former players aren’t launching any crusades over it.
