National Football League

Jerry Jones: Washington's nickname not meant to 'denigrate' anyone

Published Oct. 21, 2014 11:20 a.m. ET

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The subject was bound to come up this week, given the Cowboys' next opponent on the schedule.

Cowboys owner/general manager Jerry Jones was asked Tuesday for his thoughts on a matter that's drawn plenty of conversation in the past year -- the Washington Redskins' oft-debated team nickname.

Asked if he thought the Redskins would ever change their nickname, Jones was quick to point out that he didn't think the name was meant to "denigrate" anyone. He then added that he thought Washington owner Daniel Snyder should be able to keep the nickname if he wants to.

"I don't want to be insensitive, but I sure think if the Redskins and Snyder want to keep that, then they should keep it," Jones said in an interview with 105.3 FM The Fan.

Having said that, Jones also added that he understood the debate over whether the Redskins should continue to use that nickname. But he reiterated his initial point that he didn't think it was the intention of the name to be derogatory.

"I understand the times we're in and we're in changing times, relative to sensitivity. I have all of that that you could possibly ask for in my thoughts, as well," Jones said. "But I think it's pretty pointed that this name is one of pride, this name is one of competition, this name is one of a lot of great things that have happened with this franchise and should be looked at that way."

Washington has come under plenty of scrutiny for its use of the nickname in recent years. Federal Communications Commission Chairman Thom Wheeler labeled it "offensive and derogatory" last month, while President Barack Obama said last year he'd "think about changing" it if he were the team owner.

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