US poll finds widespread support for Redskins name

Four in five Americans don’t think the Washington Redskins should change the team’s nickname. That’s according to a new Associated Press-GfK poll.

Some consider “Redskins” to be a derogatory term for Native Americans, and the team has faced a barrage of criticism for refusing to change it.

Opponents recently launched a new round of legal proceedings intended to deny the team federal trademark protection.

 

But the poll conducted last month shows that nationally, “Redskins” still enjoys widespread support. Seventy-nine percent of Americans were in favor of keeping the name, and just 11 percent said it should be changed. Eight percent weren’t sure and 2 percent didn’t answer

There has been a slight drop in support since a Washington Post/ABC News poll in 1992 showed 89 percent backed the team’s name.