WASHINGTON — Arlington County is the latest local government in the D.C. area asking the Redskins to get a new name.
County Board Vice Chairman Walter Tejada proposed the resolution, which begins and ends by commending the “great pride and joy” the team has brought and the contributions made to the Washington metropolitan area, and also recognizes “that the name is objectionable to many Americans, Virginians, and Arlingtonians.”
Tejada, Chairwoman Mary Hynes and board member Jay Fisette voted to approve the resolution Tuesday; no one voted against it. The other two members, John Vihstadt and Libby Garvey, abstained, saying they agreed with the resolution but didn’t think the board should take an official stance on the team’s name.
The resolution also mentions recent talk in the news that the Redskins may want a new home for the team.
On WTOP’s Ask the Governor program last month, Gov. Terry McAuliffe also talked about a possible move, saying the state’s investment in such a move must be economically sound. But he added that the state is working aggressively to bring the team to Virginia, saying that plenty of other reasons make sense.
“Sixty-six percent of all season ticket holders are Virginians; every player lives in Virginia,” McAuliffe said.
Tejada says that if that move happens, a name change would be timely.
“It would be a great opportunity for a fresh start with a brand new name,” Tejada says.
The D.C. Council passed a similar resolution in 2013.
