Two Guns White Calf’s Legacy Erased in NFL Controversy
John Two Guns White Calf, a prominent Blackfeet leader, stood as the emblematic warrior for the Washington Redskins of the NFL for an impressive 48 years.
However, in 2020, a series of politically motivated events led to the erasure of his story, his image, and the team’s ties to Native American identity from American history. This followed what many describe as a lengthy and intense campaign against the team’s name, driven largely by mainstream media narratives.
Now, the family of White Calf has reached out to the current owner of the Washington franchise, Josh Harris, expressing a desire for dialogue.
“We wish to have a personal meeting with Josh Harris to share our perspective,” Thomas White Calf, a family representative, disclosed in an interview. “We hope to see the Redskins name reinstated in the NFL and want Two Guns’ image to be part of that. It’s crucial to convey the genuine history of the Redskins and honor the life of Two Guns White Calf.”
The NFL team, recently renamed the Commanders in 2022, did not respond to requests for comments related to this matter.
The family has been actively engaging with lawmakers in Washington, including meetings with individuals like Senator Steve Daines, in an effort to reclaim attention for their narrative as fans grapple with the team’s new identity. Despite the rebranding, many fans, possibly even a majority, still refer to the team as the Redskins.
Jonathan Lynch, a fan, shared his encounter with the White Calf family, stating, “I wanted to clarify if they feel comfortable with the name and logo. I now have their endorsement.”
White Calf, known for his significant contributions to preserving Native American culture and protecting tribal treaties, was a well-known figure and his passing in 1934 made headlines nationwide.
The New York Times commemorated him as an esteemed American figure, acknowledging his influence on President Calvin Coolidge and recognizing him as the model for the U.S. Mint’s famous 1913 Indian Head nickel.
Following his recognition in 1972 as the face of the Redskins, Two Guns White Calf’s representation came under fire, leading to his omission from narratives that ostensibly aim to protect Native dignity. This erasure has been seen by many as collateral damage in what they call a cultural cancelation campaign.
Media scrutiny around the Redskins intensified around October 2013, with evidence indicating a strategic campaign coordinated by the National Congress of American Indians (NCAI). This organization has claimed responsibility for erasing a multitude of Native names and graphics from public view, with the Redskins being a prominent casualty.
The NCAI specifically targeted the image and legacy of Two Guns White Calf in their campaign. In the wake of President Obama’s 2013 criticism of the team, they released a 29-page report filled with claims about the negative implications of the team name, framing it as harmful to Native American communities.
With this backdrop, mainstream media quickly adopted the NCAI’s stance, publishing sharply critical articles that repeated unverified claims against the legacy of the Redskins. Many reports chose to ignore substantial evidence that suggested otherwise, like polling data showing that 90% of Native Americans found the term “Redskins” to be non-offensive.
Opinions diverged sharply, as while media figures like Bob Costas and various newspaper editors condemned the name, actual polling of Native American communities showed overwhelming support for it.
Ironically, while the NCAI campaigned against Two Guns White Calf’s image, they themselves have used caricatures that some might find disrespectful.
The White Calf family has endured not only the loss of their ancestor’s historical representation but also the ongoing struggle for recognition within both NFL culture and mainstream media. “We’ve been quiet for too long,” Thomas White Calf added, emphasizing their pride for Two Guns and their desire to educate others on his legacy.
