The Kansas City Chiefs have found themselves at the center of controversy once again, facing renewed calls to change their name and discontinue the use of Native American imagery. Activists and Indigenous groups have long voiced their discontent with the team’s branding, arguing that it promotes harmful stereotypes and commodifies Native culture for entertainment.
This year, the criticism has only grown louder as more teams across professional sports have moved away from Native American mascots and names. The Washington Commanders (formerly Redskins) and Cleveland Guardians (formerly Indians) made headlines in recent years for rebranding efforts in response to similar calls. Now, activists are turning up the heat on the Kansas City Chiefs, pressuring them to follow suit.
A recent incident involving a young fan wearing a headdress and face paint added fuel to the fire. Critics quickly labeled it cultural appropriation, calling out the Chiefs organization for perpetuating such displays at their games. In response, the fan, who later revealed he was of Native American descent, ignited a fresh round of debates about cultural sensitivity, respect, and the role of teams in fostering these conversations.
Proponents of change argue that it’s time for the Chiefs to modernize and join other teams in moving away from Native American imagery. They point to ongoing harm caused by such portrayals, particularly to Indigenous youth, who often grow up seeing their culture depicted in caricatured or disrespectful ways. A joint statement from several Native American advocacy groups urged the Chiefs to “do the right thing” and lead by example.
On the other hand, many Chiefs fans remain staunchly opposed to any changes, citing tradition and pride in their team’s heritage. For them, the use of Native American symbols is seen as a way to honor the culture, not demean it. The Chiefs organization has previously stated that they have taken steps to be more respectful, such as removing certain offensive symbols and working with Native groups, but they have stopped short of considering a full rebrand.
As the 2024 NFL season progresses, the debate shows no signs of slowing down. Whether the Chiefs will finally bend to the pressure or stand firm remains to be seen. For now, the controversy continues to cast a shadow over an otherwise successful franchise.
