The Washington Redskins’ official Twitter account tried a new social media strategy on Thursday: trolling Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.). Reid is one of many who believe the team’s controversial name is offensive to Native Americans and should be changed. Presumably hoping to get diehard Redskins fans to defend the team name on Twitter, those running the account posted a hashtag and urged the franchise’s supporters to tell Reid what the moniker means to them.
It didn’t take long for it to backfire.
Here’s the tweet:
Tweet @SenatorReid to show your #RedskinsPride and tell him what the team means to you.
— Washington Redskins (@Redskins) May 29, 2014
Here’s just a sampling of some of the tweets that followed, ripping the team and its campaign.
The only conclusion that I can come to is that the @Redskins twitter wants to make their fanbase look like racist, unsympathetic dickheads.
— chad dukes (@chaddukes) May 29, 2014
The fruits of genocide? “@Redskins Tweet @SenatorReid to show your #RedskinsPride and tell him what the team means to you.”
— Dave Zirin (@EdgeofSports) May 29, 2014
I’m glad I’m a fan of the Bengals, an incompetent but racism-free football team. #RedskinsPride
— Scott Keyes (@smkeyes) May 29, 2014
Sad I can’t support my home team RT @Redskins: Tweet @SenatorReid to show your #RedskinsPride and tell him what the team means to you.
— sarah (@sarahrodeo) May 29, 2014
It’s a reprehensible, racist name & should be changed. mRT @Redskins Tweet @SenatorReid and tell him what the team means to you.
— Celticfeminist (@celticfeminist) May 29, 2014
Pretty sure it means ‘We’re racists.’ “@Redskins: Tweet @SenatorReid to show your #RedskinsPride and tell him what the team means to you.”
— Matthew (@Iscariot_XIII) May 29, 2014
Discounting the voice of Native leaders“@Redskins: Tweet @SenatorReid to show your #RedskinsPride and tell him what the team means to you.”
— Jennie Bea (@IndigeniusIdeas) May 29, 2014
This was probably a bad idea! RT @Redskins: Tweet @SenatorReid to show your #RedskinsPride
— chrismchaines (@chrismchaines) May 29, 2014
Racial slur, genocide, bounties on dead Indians #ChangeTheMascot MT @Redskins: Tweet @SenatorReid to […] tell what the team means to you.
— maco (@maco_nix) May 29, 2014
The @Redskins are gonna fire whoever came up with this #RedskinsPride hashtag long before they ever #ChangeTheName.
— Eric Haywood (@Eric_Haywood) May 29, 2014
I’ve loved this team my whole life. Change the name. RT @redskins Tweet @SenatorReid to show your #RedskinsPride
— paulscan (@paulscan) May 29, 2014
Who thought this up? #smh –> RT @Redskins: Tweet @SenatorReid to show your #RedskinsPride and tell him what the team means to you.
— Cameron Brenchley (@chbrenchley) May 29, 2014
Was thought up by racist team owner. RT @Redskins: Tweet @SenatorReid to show your #RedskinsPride and tell him what the team means to you.
— Gary Legum (@YeDevolutionist) May 29, 2014
Oh no… RT @Redskins: Tweet @SenatorReid to show your #RedskinsPride and tell him what the team means to you.
— Marc Torrence (@marctorrence) May 29, 2014
Unrepentant Racism. RT@Redskins Tweet @SenatorReid to show your #RedskinsPride and tell him what the team means to you.
— Ioneenknoyo (@DubJ) May 29, 2014
The team’s name is racist, Mr. Senator RT @Redskins: Tweet @SenatorReid to show your #RedskinsPride and tell him what the team means to you.
— Bill (@bflip33) May 29, 2014
.@Redskins @SenatorReid first thing that comes to mind is that rich sports team owners got no shame if they think their wallet’s in danger
— Jonathan Bernhardt (@jonbernhardt) May 29, 2014
@Redskins @SenatorReid Please change the name. It’s over. Let’s move on.
— Sean O’Leary (@stholeary) May 29, 2014
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