Breaking News
8:00 AM PT — D.C. officials just released a statement on the statue’s removal, calling the monument’s teardown “overdue.”
“We believe that injustice and inequality of all forms is reprehensible and we are firmly committed to confronting unequal treatment and working together toward healing our city and country,” the statement read.
“Removing this statue is a small and an overdue step on the road to lasting equality and justice. We recognize that we can do better and act now. We’ve heard from many of our stakeholders in the community, and we thank you.”
The officials continued, “Allowing the memorial to remain on the RFK Campus goes against Events DC’s values of inclusion and equality and is a disturbing symbol to many in the city we serve.”
The Redskins are finally doing something they should have done years ago — no, not changing their team name … but rather punting a monument dedicated to their racist ex-owner.
The ‘Skins are digging up and removing their George Preston Marshall statue at RFK Stadium on Friday … and if you know anything about the guy, it’s easy to see why.
Marshall — the Redskins’ founding father and Pro Football Hall of Famer — famously refused to sign black players for DECADES.
In fact, he was quoted as saying once, “We will sign black players when the Harlem Globetrotters start playing white players.”
His anti-African-American stance lasted all the way until the early 1960s … when government officials threatened to force him out of RFK Stadium if he didn’t sign black players.
FYI, Marshall died in 1969. He was 72.
People have been calling for the ‘Skins to remove the monument at the park for years … and finally, in the wake of national protests, the team relented this week.
It’s just the latest statue to be scrapped as America tries to sever its ties with its racist past … in Minnesota, the Twins announced they’re removing a statue of former owner Calvin Griffith.
Similar to Marshall, Griffith had been openly racist against black people … and in a statement Friday, the Twins said, “His disparaging words displayed a blatant intolerance and disregard for the Black community that are the antithesis of what the Minnesota Twins stand for and value.”
Redskins’ nickname, you’re up next.
Originally Published — 7:24 AM PT