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Lawmakers Send Letter To NFL Over Team Name

Keith Allison
/
Flickr.com

The latest back-and-forth over the Washington Redskins name includes a stern letter from two lawmakers and a public relations move from the team.

A letter sent Monday from Sen. Maria Cantwell of Washington state and Rep. Tom Cole of Oklahoma tells NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell that the league is on "the wrong side of history" and mentions the league's tax-exempt status. Cantwell chairs the Senate Committee on Indian Affairs.

The Redskins countered by saying they've received "almost 200" letters and emails in recent months in support of the name from people who identified themselves as Native Americans or as family members of Native Americans. They say they've received only seven letters from Native Americans opposed to the name.

The NFL has yet comment on the letter from Cantwell and Cole.

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