[Mick]

It is my understanding that "Redskins" was not something that people were, but rather something that they did. That the origin of term had to do with certain Indian tribes who painted their faces red before going to battle. Considering this current day controversy, it's a little ironic that the original owner of the team selected the name in honor of their coach, William Dietz, who was American Indian.

I thought that the Washington Redskins were once the Boston Redskins, and that prior to that were actually the Boston Braves, which was the same name as Boston's baseball team at the time (much like New York Giants for both baseball and football).  Dietz coached the Boston Redskins from 1933-1934 where he had an 11-11-2 record.

As far as Dietz goes, he claimed to be a Sioux but his parents were William Wallace Dietz and Leanna Ginder.  He did attend Chilocco Indian Agricultural School.  For the rest of his life, Dietz continued to promote himself as Lone Star Dietz, the son of W.W. and Julia One Star of Pine Ridge.  There was plenty of controversy about his supposed Indian heritage, it's on the 'net.

[Mick]

It is my understanding that "Redskins" was not something that people were, but rather something that they did. That the origin of term had to do with certain Indian tribes who painted their faces red before going to battle. Considering this current day controversy, it's a little ironic that the original owner of the team selected the name in honor of their coach, William Dietz, who was American Indian.

I thought that the Washington Redskins were once the Boston Redskins, and that prior to that were actually the Boston Braves, which was the same name as Boston's baseball team at the time (much like New York Giants for both baseball and football).  Dietz coached the Boston Redskins from 1933-1934 where he had an 11-11-2 record.

As far as Dietz goes, he claimed to be a Sioux but his parents were William Wallace Dietz and Leanna Ginder.  He did attend Chilocco Indian Agricultural School.  For the rest of his life, Dietz continued to promote himself as Lone Star Dietz, the son of W.W. and Julia One Star of Pine Ridge.  There was plenty of controversy about his supposed Indian heritage, it's on the 'net.