National Football League

Miami University RedHawks trolls Washington NFL team on Twitter

Published Jun. 18, 2014 1:20 p.m. ET

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Brett Smiley

Hiyooooo! The Miami University Redhawks -- of Division I Mid-American Conference fame -- trolled the Washington Redskins.

In case you missed it, the U.S. Patent and Trademark office ruled that its team name is not subject to trademark protection due to its derogatory nature toward Native Americans.

Sweet burn by Miami (of Ohio) but it's actually not a straight troll like many users on Twitter who were offering new names: the school has one of the oldest football programs in the country, dating to 1888 when the mascot was the Redskins. A page titled "Mascot Story" on the RedHawks website reads:

The school also explains that in 1971, Miami President Phillip R. Shriver began to consider complaints about the school's mascot.

Money talks, and now that Washington's NFL team will lose trademark protection and thus merchandising power, maybe team owner Daniel Snyder will finally listen.

Put it up to the team's fans, Miami's student body, Twitter, anyone -- to pick a new team name.

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