The Redskins’ pro-nickname campaign continues to get more difficult.
Less than two weeks after the team hired leftward-leaning political blogger Ben Tribbett to help preserve its highly scrutinized name, Tribbett announced his plans to resign from the team via Twitter on Monday.
Obv. this issue with Redskins is one where I don’t see eye to eye with some friends. I just don’t agree with the attacks on the team name.
‘ Ben Tribbett (@notlarrysabato) July 8, 2014
I don’t want to be a distraction to the team as the political attacks have shifted towards being personal towards me.
‘ Ben Tribbett (@notlarrysabato) July 8, 2014
So I’m going to send in my resignation to the Redskins. Hopefully that allows debate to move back to where it should be.
‘ Ben Tribbett (@notlarrysabato) July 8, 2014
PS- Hail to the Redskins!
‘ Ben Tribbett (@notlarrysabato) July 8, 2014
Tribbett, apparently in favor of conserving the Redskins nickname, did not specify what led to his decision.
Tribbett has found himself at the center of derogatory marks against Native Americans in the past, and reportedly played a role in the takedown of former Virginia Governor and Senator George Allen, brother of Redskins general manager Bruce Allen, which may have affected his choice.
Tribbett probably isn’t the only person second-guessing his decision to associate himself in the controversy regarding the team’s name.
Bloomsburg University student Jacob Close commented on the situation to the Bloomsburg (Pa.) Press Enterprise on June 30, saying, “I think they should keep the name, but change the mascot to a potato.”
The 25-year-old was wanted by Ithaca police for jumping bail on a years-old drug-related case. Close, who agreed to have his head shot featured in the paper, was detected by an Ithaca police officer who saw his picture in last Monday’s paper. The officer found him Sunday afternoon.
