Goodell addresses Redskins name, foundation

ORLANDO, Fla. — A day after Dan Snyder and the Redskins presented the new Original Americans Foundation to Commissioner Roger Goodell and the owners, it was Goodell’s turn to address the Redskins name.

“We have been listening but so has Dan,” Goodell said.

“That was the point of his presentation, that he has been listening. He’s visited, I think, 26 different tribes. He has been working very closely with them. He’s not only listened, he’s learned and now he’s taking action.”

He also made it clear that the team brought this to the table.

“It was a presentation completely by the Redskins, it was their initiative. I think the membership appreciated hearing that.”

As far as the name is concerned, Goodell definitely understands the sensitivity of the subject.

“This is something that has been discussed for decades now,” he said. “It comes up every once and while and there are people that have strong views of it.”

Goodell also noted that one thing is clear in the public opinion and the polls, “90 percent of the Redskin fans support the name, they believe it’s something that demonstrates pride and the general population also supports it overwhelming.”

Redskins General Manager Bruce Allen also said Tuesday that the support from the other owners is positive.

“The league has been very supportive of what our direction is and they’ll continue,” Allen said.

“We’ve already heard from other teams who all want to jump on the foundations bandwagon.”

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