As We See It

Harry Reid: Mike Ditka ‘got hit in the head too many times’

Image
Despite comments from NFL Hall of Famer Mike Ditka that the movement to change the name of the Washington Redskins is “stupid,” Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid says it’s going to happen.

Sen. Majority Leader Harry Reid downplayed NFL Hall of Famer Mike Ditka’s criticism of the movement to rename the Washington Redskins, saying, “Maybe he got hit in the head too many times playing football.”

Earlier this week, Ditka called the debate “so stupid, it’s appalling,” and said that the team’s name “was said out of reverence, out of pride to the American Indian.”

Reid, who has been an extremely vocal proponent of getting the team name changed, told the Weekly he wasn’t even aware of Ditka’s comments until he was asked about it in an interview at the Greenspun Media Group offices on Thursday. “He was never known for being sensitive of other people’s feelings, anyway,” Reid said of Ditka.

He added that he understands how much attention comments from a football legend like Ditka receive, but says they won’t change anything. “Mike Ditka can say whatever he wants to say, but we’re going to keep pushing this. They will not keep that name. It’s only a question of when it goes. There is no reason to have a name that disparages people who controlled this continent before we came here.”

Tags: Politics, Sports
Share
Photo of Ken Miller

Ken Miller

Ken Miller is the editor of Las Vegas Magazine, having previously served as associate editor at Las Vegas Weekly, assistant ...

Get more Ken Miller
Top of Story