Indigenous Appropriation in Football

American football has long been a part of the cultural fabric of the United States with millions of people tuning in to watch the Super Bowl every year. As such, the sport has seen some unique practices that have taken place on the field over the years. From the Gatorade shower first started by the New York Giants to the Lambeau Leap shared by the Green Bay Packers and their fans, there are many beloved traditions in this sport. However, there are also some concerning and outdated practices that still exist in football, namely the appropriation of Native Americans that was brought into the spotlight with the Kentucky Chiefs playing in the Super Bowl this year. The Chiefs make a mockery of Indigenous cultures through their “arrowhead” chop, “war chant,” and of course the name itself. Not only is it politically incorrect, such practices perpetuate stereotypes and trivialize Indigenous culture. Many Indigenous people, including activist Rhonda LeValdo, have protested and called upon the Chiefs to change their name and drop Native American motifs. 

The offensive imagery and mascotry is not exclusive to the Chiefs and has been prevalent in football culture since the early 1930s. Professional football teams began using Native American names such as the Boston Redskins and the Cleveland Indians which were often accompanied with headdresses, tomahawks, and war paint. This has only begun to wane from popular football culture with recent progress especially in light of the Black Lives Matter movement. Teams such as the Washington Football Team (formerly known as the Washington Redskins) have begun to retire their controversial mascot and logo after significant protest. There is still substancial progress to be made in making the sport inclusive and a safe space for all cultures and it is a simple fix for teams such as the Chiefs to change their name and stop with the offensive practices.