With the Kansas City Chiefs back on American football’s biggest stage, there have been renewed calls for the franchise to change its nickname and mascot.
Many believe the name is racist and want to see it scrapped.
Patrick Mahomes will be hoping to guide the Kansas City Chiefs to yet another world championship as they face the Philadelphia Eagles at Super Bowl LVII in Arizona.
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Both teams had stellar regular seasons, meaning the game itself has all the ingredients for box office entertainment.
But as fans were counting down to kick-off, much of the talk across social media seemed to be focused around Kansas City's moniker.
The Chiefs' reference to Native American-Indian culture, as well as the 'Tomahawk Chop' dance which the fans perform, has faced heavy backlash throughout the years.
And after seeing it on the television broadcasts of the Super Bowl, viewers are demanding it be changed once again.
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One person tweeted: "When your watching the @SuperBowl and you see the @Chiefs fans doing the Tomahawk chop and dressing like Native People. That s**t is racist as f**k. @NFL you should be ashamed of yourself for allowing this. You put “End Racism” on helmets and endzones but allow this. #changethename."
Meanwhile, another added: "I am Ponca, Pawnee and Kiowa and that stupid chanting and chopping the Kansas City Chiefs fans engage in is racist. I absolutely hate it. It needs to go away. So many Indigenous people tell you they don’t like it, so don’t do it. That’s just basic respect."
Racial and social justice organisation AllumiNative also put out a tweet ahead of the game, saying: "The Super Bowl is in full swing—along with the racist imagery and gestures used by the @chiefs and their fans that defames Native cultures and negatively impacts Native peoples, especially our youth. Sign the petition & tell the @nfl to #ChangeTheName."
At one point during the live broadcast, a camera panned out to some Chiefs spectators wearing traditional American-Indian headdresses – something the supporter base has been warned against by the NFL.
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Quickly realising this, whoever was operating the camera scrambled to find another shot instead.
That wasn't before eagle-eyed viewers noticed it though.
One person noted: "Fox trying real hard to cover up the Chiefs fans doing their stupid, racist chant in the stands. Tell me again the name is fine and shouldn't be changed."
The public uproar comes in the wake of the Washington Redskins' decision to drop their 87-year-old nickname and logo following similar backlash regarding issues with its racial undertones.
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Mounting pressure from the public, as well as corporate sponsors and retailers, resulted in the NFL heavyweights finally retiring the logo and nickname to The Commanders.
As for Patrick Mahomes and the Super Bowl champs, the NFL won't be forced to re-name the organisation, although their die-hard fans will have to find a new game-day wardrobe.
"In 2014, we began a dialogue with a group of local leaders from diverse American Indian backgrounds and experiences,'' the Chiefs said in a statement.
"As an organisation, our goal was to gain a better understanding of the issues facing American Indian communities in our region and explore opportunities to both raise awareness of American Indian cultures and celebrate the rich traditions of tribes with a historic connection to the Kansas City area.
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"We are grateful for the meaningful conversations we have had with all of these American Indian leaders. It is important that we continue the dialogue on these significant topics, and we look forward to continuing to work together in the future.''
Featured Image Credit: AlamyTopics: NFL, American Football, United States
