One of the oldest, and most storied NFL franchises has finally dropped off of a cliff of political correctness. I was a Skins fan from my youth, in Jacksonville, Florida, when the D.C. based Skins were televised in black and white to the entire Southeastern U.S. They were never champions; but, we loved them, and I grew up with them. When I reached adulthood, I flew into D.C. for games, and brought Jacquelyn and the kids to games. Their first exposure to the wonderful Capital city and the Smithsonian and its museums was on those weekends. The Redskins mascot, though unofficial, was Chief Zee, seen below, may he rest in peace. The logo was designed by a Native American, and it was a gesture of respect for Native Americans, until a vocal minority claimed they were "offended" by it. True to modern sensibilities, the NFL required the team to drop the name, and they were a No Name team until they became last year, the Commanders. Now, in the ultimate insult, the Hogs that symbolized the great offensive lines the Skins had in the Eighties and Nineties, has been caricatured into a smiling pink pig wearing a football helmet. All I can say is Thank God for Tom Brady and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. The symbolism on the big screen at Raymond James stadium is that of a pirate ship with murderous pirates, attacking and killing vessels filled with the opposing team in violent fury. That doesn't insult anyone, of course, unless you are a pirate in the Disney World ride, Pirates of the Caribbean, which removed the animatronic pirates chasing women around, from the ride, along with other politically incorrect images. This is virtue signaling run amok, and I refuse to play anymore. On a serious note, on the day after a tackle caused a player to almost die of a heart attack last night, and, in a sport in which players have developed serious brain injuries from constant violent hits in the head. perhaps the NFL should concentrate on the issue of player safety. Am I the only one who finds this a painful irony?
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