Harry Reid Pledges to Boycott Washington Redskins Games

This article originally appeared in The Political Insider:

Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid has rejected an invitation from the team president to attend a “Washington, D.C. football team event,” aka a Washington Redskins home game.

After Reid and 49 other Senate Democrats signed a letter to NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell asking the league to change the team name, Redskins President Bruce Allen defended the name and invited Reid to attend a home game to “witness first-hand that the Washington Redskins are a positive, unifying force for our community in a city and region that is divided on so many levels.”

Reid wrote back:

Dear Mr. Allen:

I received your letter and invitation to attend a Washington, D.C. football team event.

During my time in the United States Senate, I have worked to right many of the injustices endured by Americans throughout the country. Among the most egregious in the history of our country are those injustices inflicted upon American Indians, Alaska Natives, and Native Hawaiians. This is personal for me. I represent 27 tribes as the Senator from Nevada and have worked to protect their homelands and their sovereignty. I have a duty to ensure that the United States uphold centuries-old treaty and trust obligations towards Native Americans, and I take this responsibility very seriously.

I will not stand idly by while a professional sports team promotes a racial slur as a team name and disparages the American people. Nor will I consider your invitation to attend a home game until your organization chooses to do the right thing and change its offensive name.

Sincerely,
Harry Reid

H/T: Washington Examiner

“I will not stand idly by…” Hmmm, you mean like you did the previous 70+ years of your life before an 81-year-old team name became your pet project only a few short months ago, Harry? How about the 7 years you’ve been Senate Majority Leader, and 27 years a U.S. Senator, apparently it was okay to stand idly by then. There are many reasons to refuse tickets to a Redskins game, but this is one of the dumbest.
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Religious Player Hating: Tebow and Suggs

As a Ravens fan and a big Tim Tebow fan, I was VERY disappointed to hear Terrell Suggs (T. Sizzle, from Ball So Hard University) mocking Tebow for his prayer and focus on God.  Criticize his play all you want, but don't go after his religion. 

Tebow may not be a very good quarterback but he seems to be one of the most nicest, most sincere people in the world and shows amazing work ethic and heart. It is amazing how many lives he's touched and hearts he's opened at such a young age. I have no doubt that his faith is sincere and I don't like people mocking it. It's not as if he is the first pro athlete to honor God on the field, why do people insist on acting like he is some kind of freak?

T. Sizzle has to have seen his teammates praying on the sidelines before, during, and after games so it is ridiculous that he goes after Tebow for doing so. Wonder if Sizzle ever saw this Sports Illustrated cover of Ravens future Hall of Famer Ray Lewis calling him "God's Linebacker":

And here's video of Ray Lewis talking about the Raven's last second win against the Steelers on November 6, 2011 and telling the team: "Position yourself so that when God is getting ready to pour out blessings, you’re in position to receive those blessings...  I kept going to them and saying, 'It's His will, let His will be done.' ... God is amazing!"

 

Now, the religious player haters say God doesn't care about who wins or loses football games, but God does care about each one of us individually and has a plan for us through every success and defeat in our lives.  The players who are sincere and mature in their relationship with God are not praying to win games but praying/thanking God for physical protection for themselves and the other players, the blessings He has bestowed upon them, the opportunity to perform to the best of their ability, and that His will be done through them.

I see nothing wrong with players thanking God after wins (and they should thank him after loses, too) because at the very least it is displaying a humility that is not seen enough in sports or today's world.  It is important to acknowledge that there is a higher being greater than oneself and that your accomplishments are not yours alone, the glory is to God. 

That's why it saddens me that one of the best players on my favorite team seemed to mock it.  I hope Suggs' eyes are opened and he embraces the power of prayer and faithfulness, which is greater and more everlasting than any Super Bowl win here on earth.