Despite fundamental differences between the name of the Chiefs and the label applied to the Washington NFL franchise, some believe that the Chiefs, like Washington, should change their name. While a full-blown debate on that topic may never happen (and should never happen), the Chiefs are addressing the situation long before any such efforts would seem to be an exercise in P.R.
According to Sam Mellinger of the Kansas City Star, the Chiefs have reached out to several Native American groups, hopeful to build bridges long before an attempt to change the team’s name ever coalesces. It’s a far better strategy than, for example, pointing out the various high schools that still use the term “Chiefs,” declaring that the name will change at the stroke of “all caps never,” and suggesting that anyone who expresses a concern about the name is simply looking for Internet clicks.
The Chiefs shouldn’t have to worry about changing the team’s name, since “Chiefs” isn’t and likely won’t evolve into a dictionary-defined slur. Still, working with Native American groups will help guide the Chiefs regarding game-day traditions that either could be deemed problematic (such as war paint and headdresses) or may be enhanced via greater sensitivity to Native American culture (such as the warm drum that is banged before games).
It’s an opportunity for fans to learn about and to honor Native American traditions, and it seems to be a lot more genuine and potentially effective than Washington’s effort to clumsily stomp out a blaze that has emerged because the franchise initially tried to put out a much smaller fire by pouring gasoline on it.