Just a day after the controversial George Preston Marshall memorial was removed from in front of the Washington Redskins RFK stadium, the team has announced more changes to better fit today’s culture of tolerance and understanding for minorities and people of color.
According to ESPN’s John Keim, the Redskins have moved to retired the jersey of former player Bobby Mitchell, who was the first African-American player to join the Redskins. They are also renaming the lower bowl at Fed Ex Field after Mitchell. It was previously named after the aforementioned George Preston Marshall, a historically racist team owner in Washington who fought against integration in the NFL for years.
The Redskins are retiring Bobby Mitchell’s number, per source, and will re-name the lower bowl at FedEx Field in his name – replacing that of former owner George Preston Marshall. Mitchell, who wore No. 49, was the first African American to play for Washington. He played for the Redskins from 1962-68 and then worked in their front office until retiring after the 2002 season. He was voted into the Hall of Fame in 1983. The Redskins had previously retired one number: Sammy Baugh’s 33.
These changes are all necessary and good, but it’s hard to feel like they will mean much until something is done about the Redskins name that multitudes of people have been calling for to change for years now. With the way the ball is currently rolling, Dan Snyder is likely feeling the pressure to change it, especially with the Mayor of Washington D.C. saying that the team would be unable to build a new stadium in the District unless a name change came.
