Sen. Harry Reid: Redskins’ Dan Snyder tried to bribe Native Americans
Senate minority leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) told CNN's Manu Raju that Washington Redskins owner Daniel Snyder tried to bribe Native Americans through the Washington Redskins Original Americans Foundation.
“Here’s a recommendation I’ll give to CNN: Don’t use the word Washington ‘bleep,’” Reid told CNN. “The name of the Washington football team is disparaging to a large number of my constituents, and he demeans them every day.”
Reid went on to say that Snyder has attempted to bribe Native Americans in his home state of Nevada by buying them cars.
“Snyder has tried to bribe some of my folks, buying them new cars,” Reid said.
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For the past two years, Snyder and the Redskins organization have faced criticism over the team's name, which some Native American tribes view as offensive. Some state and local officials have voiced their views for a name change. The Redskins also drew protests at several of their home games last season.
Reid’s response came after being asked by Raju whether he believed that NFL commissioner Roger Goodell should step down in light of the Deflategate controversy regarding quarterback Tom Brady and the tampering of footballs in the AFC championship game. Brady’s initial four-game suspension was overturned by judge Richard Berman in a New York City federal court last week.
Back in May, Reid opened the Senate floor by airing his grievances with the NFL’s concern over the air in footballs rather than the Redskins’ “racist” name.
