Bill in Congress demands Redskins name change

Del. Eleanor Holmes Norton, D-D.. pays tribute to the late former Massachusetts Sen. Edward William Brooke III. (Manuel Balce Ceneta/AP)

WASHINGTON — Eleanor Holmes Norton, the District of Columbia’s delegate to Congress, has introduced a bill to remove the NFL’s antitrust exemption if the Washington Redskins do not change their nickname.

In a news release Thursday, Norton is quoted as saying Washington "should always be associated with pride, not with a moniker that mocks and insults Native Americans."

In 2013, Norton and nine other members of Congress urged a nickname change in letters sent to NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell, Redskins owner Daniel Snyder, and the league’s 31 other teams.

A statement sent by Redskins spokesman Tony Wyllie on Thursday says the team disagrees with Norton’s opposition to the name.

NFL spokesmen did not immediately respond to requests for comment.

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