EA Sports have announced that the Washington Redskins will be a generic team in Madden NFL 21, until a new name and logo have been decided upon.
After the Washington Redskins announced they would be changing their name and logo earlier this month (due to the name and logo being accused of being a negative portrayal of Native Americans), US Gamer reports that in Madden NFL 21, the team will be made into a “generic” team until a new name and logo are chosen.
Speaking to US Gamer, an EA spokesperson stated “We are pleased to see Washington’s decision to change their team name and visual identity. We are quickly working to update Madden NFL 21 to feature a generic Washington team, while we await final word on the updated team name and logo design.”
After the update is downloaded (as physical copies are in the final stages before shipping), the team’s uniform and logo will change; along with audio, commentator narration, in-game motion graphics, stadiums, crowds, and other environmental assets. However, there may still be “some outdated Washington references in other areas of the game at launch.”
In 1932 the team began as the Boston Braves, before becoming the Boston Redskins in 1933 with the hiring of William Henry Dietz (also known as “Lone Star”) as the head coach [1, 2].
While he claimed to be part Sioux Native-American, exposes by Indian Country Today Media Network revealed he had taken the identity of James One Star. This was when he attempted to register for the draft in 1918 as a “Non-Citizen Indian” with an allotment.
A trial to determine his guilt of submitting false information for the draft in 1919 resulted in a hung jury, hinging on whether Dietz believed he was a Native-America.
One Star’s sister testified Dietz was not her brother, while Dietz’ mother claimed that he was a Native-American baby who had been switched when her own child was stillborn. The latter was in spite of witnesses to Dietz’ birth.
Dietz was re-indicted, and in the second trial pleaded “no contest.” He served 30 days in jail.
Madden NFL 21 launches August 28th on Windows PC, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, and Holiday 2020 for PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X, and Google Stadia.
Image: Madden NFL 21 official website
