The Chicago Blackhawks are bucking the trend, defending their use of an American Indian nickname. The NHL team says it was chosen to honor the famous Sauk leader who rose to tribal chief after being known for his daring, and brutal, war parties. He even commanded Sauk forces against the United States army in a brief conflict known as the Black Hawk War in 1832. It ended in the Battle of Bad Axe, which was fought in Wisconsin.
The NFL’s Washington Redskins are rumored to be close to selecting the Washington Warriors as their new team name. MLB’s Cleveland Indians are also reviewing their mascot, a move that has gotten the support of the team’s manager Terry Francona.
