16923: Delayed WTF 63—Washington NFL Team Rumored Reverting To Redskins.

 

MultiCultClassics is often occupied with real work. As a result, a handful of events occur without the expected blog commentary. This limited series—Delayed WTF—seeks to make belated amends for the absence of malice.

 

In December 2024, Newsweek reported the Washington Commanders are considering changing the team’s name back to the Washington Redskins.

 

If it comes to fruition, expect a celebratory breakfast with Aunt Jemima pancakes and Rastus-rebranded Cream of Wheat—in addition to plenty of Land O’Lakes butter featuring the Native American maiden mascot.

 

MultiCultClassics recommends team officials halt any renaming announcements for the time being, as the Commanders’ playoff progress could be thwarted by Offensive Karma.

 

Indeed, the team’s decisively dominating win over the Detroit Lions proves the revised name re-energized the franchise—along with new ownership including NBA Legend Magic Johnson. Spirited players—led by breakthrough Quarterback Jayden Daniels—have established the Commanders as championship contenders.

 

Cultural competence and diversity lead to victory.

 

Washington Commanders Rumored to Change Their Name Back to Redskins

 

The NFL’s Redskins became the Washington Football Team in 2020, then the Commanders in 2022, but the team may return to the identity it previously held for 87 years.

 

Commanders owner Josh Harris has expressed support for a name reversal since he took over the team last year. Harris and NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell visited Capitol Hill on Monday to lobby for a bill that would help revitalize Robert F. Kennedy Memorial Stadium. A senior Senate staffer told Newsweek that U.S. Republican Senator John Thune of South Dakota was among the lawmakers who met with Harris and Goodell.

 

Newsweek reached out to the NFL and Harris’ representatives for comment Tuesday morning.

 

The Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources recently passed the D.C. Robert F. Kennedy Memorial Stadium Campus Revitalization Act, which would transfer the land with the former stadium and its vicinity to the D.C. government for up to 99 years. The bill now moves to the Senate floor for a full vote.

 

There is no guarantee that the Commanders would build their next stadium at the site, but it’s possible that the football team returns to its home from 1961 to 1996.

 

A name reversal would be “a win against this woke mindset / sensitivity we’ve seen the last couple of years,” conservative influencer Amir Odom told Newsweek.

 

“Why are we politicizing sports team names?” he asked. “There’s more to worry about in this country than grown men fondling balls on a field and what name we refer to them as.”

 

“Let’s let this be a cultural and community thing. It’s one thing for politicians to share their opinion but to get this involved is a bit much.”

 

Is the Redskins Name Coming Back?

 

Harris, who bought the football team from longtime owner Dan Snyder last year for $6.05 billion, had previously said the old Redskins name, originating in 1933, would not return.

 

But Harris’ group includes NBA legend Magic Johnson, who told NBC News otherwise.

 

“Everything’s on the table, especially after this year,” Johnson told journalist Craig Melvin last year. “We’ll see where we are with the name.”

 

Some fans have even urged President-elect Donald Trump to change the team’s name back when he returns to office.

 

Do Native Americans Want the Redskins Name Back?

 

In September, ML Football, the credentialed media for everything football related, announced that the family of the Blackfeet chief featured in the logo wants the team to change its name back to Redskins.

 

“90 percent of Native Americans supported the Redskins name,” the post reads.

 

“People are fed up with everything being offensive,” Odom said. “If they change the name back it’s definitely a cultural win for keeping things how they are no matter the origin since context has changed. I feel like this could be a nod to keeping historic statues up despite the origins.”

 

Why Did the Washington Redskins Change Their Name?

 

“Redskin” is sometimes used as a discriminatory slang term against Indigenous people in the United States.

 

Amid the Black Lives Matter protests that followed the death of George Floyd, Snyder faced growing pressure from sponsors, including Nike, FedEx and PepsiCo, to change the team’s name. The league and team announced in July 2020 that it was “undergoing a thorough review of the team name.”

 

Snyder had insisted for over two decades, however, that he was not going to abandon the Redskins name, even as Indigenous advocacy groups fought to get rid of it. In 2020, more than a dozen tribal leaders and organizations sent a letter to Goodell calling for the league to force Snyder into changing the team’s name.

 

Criticism surrounding the name started in the 1960s and gained larger public traction in the 1990s. The team rebranded itself as the Washington Football Team in 2020 before becoming the Commanders in 2022.

 

But another name change could hurt the team, Jim Rocco, author of the coming book, Sports Crisis Communications: Cases & Controversies, told Newsweek.

 

“It’s always bad for a sports brand to sway this way and that in the face of changing political winds. You tend to make your fans dizzy,” he said. “In this case, the idea is actually a little crazy. What’s going to happen if the Democrats retake control of Congress? Will they change the name again?”

 

David Aaker, known as the “father of modern branding,” agreed that the team is in “a lose-lose situation.”

 

“Whatever route will upset some people and cause their support of the team to be reduced and that will not be offset by those that ‘won,’” Aaker told Newsweek. “If the name change is made I would not make a big deal out of it.”

 

Will the Original Redskins Logo Be Used?

 

Republican U.S. Senator Steve Daines of Montana previously threatened to block legislation pertaining to the RFK stadium site until the NFL and Commanders agreed to honor the old Redskins logo.

 

In a letter to Fox 5 WTTG, Daines said that the former logo, which depicted Blackfeet Chief Two Guns White Calf, acted as “a symbol of pride, strength and honor” and that it should not be censored.

 

The Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee, which Daines leads, approved legislation last week that would fund revitalization of the D.C. football stadium site.

 

Who Is the Face of the Original Redskins Logo?

 

Daines told Newsweek he is now in favor of the bill because the Indigenous family credited with designing the original logo is now satisfied with the team’s efforts to honor Walter “Blackie” Wetzel’s work. There seems to be “good faith negotiations” with the league around the old logo. It is expected to be included on alumni shirts for those who played while sporting the Redskins logo.

 

“My goal has always been to support the Wetzel family and tribal stakeholders in their goal to bring the iconic Blackfeet logo back to a place of prominence,” Daines told Newsweek. “Native Americans in Montana have diverse views on the Redskins nickname but they overwhelmingly agree that the Blackfeet logo is a symbol of pride, strength and honor. I’ve insisted that the NFL, Commanders and their corporate sponsors celebrate it, not censor it.”

 

A Commanders team spokesperson on Monday told Newsweek that there are no plans to bring the logo back. It was developed in 1971 by Wetzel, a former leader of Blackfeet Nation. The Redskins image is a composite of Native American photographs, including one featuring a Blackfeet chief.

16833: On The White House & White Advertising Agencies.

Former and Soon-To-Be-Current President Donald Trump defied Offensive Karma to beat Kamala Harris and win the US presidential election.

 

Trump’s victory mirrors Adland in a variety of ways, including:

 

• Culturally clueless Old White Guys regularly elevate to positions of power, even after demonstrating questionable abilities to lead. Displaying blatant racism, predatory sexism, wanton lawlessness, clinical narcissism, cruel bullying, and intentional indifference will not adversely affect Old White Guys’ advancement either.

 

• When Old White Guys assume top positions, their first move is to clean house, replacing able and proven people with suspect cronies, and swapping established processes with dysfunctional disruption.

 

• Iconic management expert Peter F. Drucker stated: “[A]lthough followers will forgive a leader much, they will never forgive a lack of integrity.” Like Old White Guys in Adland, Trump did not let an abysmal lack of integrity impede his ascent.

 

• Author and Anti-Racist Activist Ibram X. Kendi wrote: “From the Junior Black Americans of Achievement series onward, I had been taught that racist ideas cause racist policies. That ignorance and hate cause racist ideas. That the root problem of racism is ignorance and hate.

 

But that gets the chain of events exactly wrong. The root problem—from Prince Henry to President Trump—has always been the self-interest of racist power. Powerful economic, political, and cultural self-interest—the primitive accumulation of capital in the case of royal Portugal and subsequent slave traders—has been behind racist policies.”

 

Systemic racism is a powerful thang. ‘Nuff said.

 

• Women are underrepresented in leadership roles. Yet women of color are woefully underrepresented, despite holding qualifications far exceeding those of White male leaders. Indeed, women of color must satisfy unreasonable expectations and impossible standards—far above the expectations and standards applied to White male and White female peers—just to be considered for leadership. In short, if Harris had been a White man, or even a White woman, Trump would be preparing for scheduled sentencing associated with his criminal convictions—which he will now disintegrate via his president-elect privileges.

16827: Karma & Kamala Harris.

 

In 2011, MultiCultClassics introduced the concept of Offensive Karma.

 

Originally applied to the NBA Finals, Offensive Karma is defined by a team’s display of offensiveness in the form of words or actions rooted in bigotry, discrimination and ignorance—which then leads to the team’s ultimate demise in the championship tourney. The notion was later extended to championship competitions in the NFL and MLB, as well as a Popeyes promotion and White advertising agency Deutsch.

 

Now, it’s time to apply Offensive Karma to the US presidential election pitting former President Donald Trump against Vice President Kamala Harris.

 

Providing a detailed comparison between the candidates is unnecessary, as it’s no contest.

 

If Offensive Karma proves an accurate indicator, expect the inauguration of President Kamala Harris.

 

Please vote to confirm the appropriate outcome.

16520: Popeyes Super Bowl Wings Promotion Gets Clipped.

 

With the defeats of the Buffalo Bills and Baltimore Ravens, the Popeyes promotion promising free wings if the Super Bowl LVIII Vince Lombardi Trophy goes to a team with wings has been grounded.

 

Was the Louisiana Kitchen affected by Offensive Karma? After all, Popeyes did dump a minority-owned advertising agency in favor of a White advertising agency—and dismissed Annie the Chicken Queen too.

16404: Deutsch Done? Duh.

 

More About Advertising reported Deutsch NY is cutting nearly 20% of its staff. Offensive Karma for the White advertising agency’s decision to cease investing in diversity? Perhaps the place is transitioning from DEI to DIE—or at least DOH!

 

IPG’s Deutsch NY cuts back as agencies feel the heat

 

By Stephen Foster

 

Interpublic’s Deutsch New York is laying off 41 people, about 20% if its staff in one of what’s likely to be many such moves across ad holding companies. IPG is blaming the cutbacks on the loss of the PNC Bank business to Havas but the cuts impact many departments. Deutsch also has an office in LA.

 

There’s a chill wind blowing at IPG, now run by former CFO Philippe Krakowsky. IPG’s Initiative is losing its Amazon media account which, one imagines, employs hundreds of people.

 

Media agencies still employ thousands, strange when you think of the supposed impact of automation and programmatic. Creative agencies, those owned by the big ad holding companies anyway, are well and truly in the firing line. The likes of WPP, Omnicom and Publicis aren’t making the money from them they’d like to despite a series of internal cutbacks and mergers. More will be revealed when they report third quarter earning shortly.

 

WPP still has Ogilvy (relatively untouched so far by internal restructuring) alongside merged Wunderman Thompson and VMLY&R with Grey officially merged into AKQA Group although it still seems to be operating more or less as was. Does it need all of them? Would Ogilvy on its own do? Or might they sell it as investors demand a return in a low growth environment with profits under pressure?

 

The reason for having lots of agency brands, of course, was conflicting accounts. But if such accounts are no longer delivering the money then that strategy hardly works.

15691: C’MON WHITE MAN! Episode 58—Offensive Karma Sacks Aaron Rodgers.

 

(MultiCultClassics credits ESPN’s C’MON MAN! for sparking this semi-regular blog series.)

 

It’s too early to pick a winner for Super Bowl LVI, but it was a safe bet to call which team would not be hoisting the Vince Lombardi Trophy: The Green Bay Packers.

 

The prediction made last November was based on the theory of Offensive Karma, whereby a team’s display of offensiveness in the form of words or actions rooted in bigotry, discrimination and ignorance leads to the team’s ultimate demise in a championship tourney.

 

The Las Vegas Raiders couldn’t evade Offensive Karma, even after separating from racist, sexist and homophobic Jon Gruder—a triple threat in the bigoted arena.

 

In the latest NFL playoff picture, Packers Quarterback Aaron Rodgers deserved being named MVP—Most Vocal Prejudice.

 

The offensive penalties began when Rodgers defended blatantly lying about his COVID-19 vaccination status by quoting Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

 

Oh, but it got worse. In recent days, Rodgers responded to President Joe Biden telling a Packers fan that he wished Rodgers would get vaccinated. The MVP QB snapped, “When the President of the United States says, ‘This is a pandemic of the unvaccinated,’ it’s because him and his constituents—which I don’t know how there are any if you watch any of his attempts at public speaking—but I guess he got 81 million votes.” Rodgers also tossed a bad pass by calling the Biden administration “a fake White House.”

 

To be clear, making fun of Biden’s “attempts at public speaking” when it’s common knowledge that the Commander-In-Chief has struggled with stuttering qualifies as bullying and biased bullshit.

 

Pushing the big lie of “a fake White House” underscores Rodgers’ politically incorrect stupidity.

 

The Green Bay Packers’ loss to the San Francisco 49ers—while playing at home in a snowstorm against a West Coast team—confirms the power of Offensive Karma. As well as the absolute ignorance of Aaron Rodgers.

C’MON WHITE MAN!

 

P.S., Why is this guy still playing on the State Farm roster?

15600: Dr. Aaron Rodgers Versus Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

 

NFL Superstar Aaron Rodgers had the audacity to defend his lies and ignorance by quoting Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and declaring, “You have a moral obligation to object to unjust rules and rules that make no sense…”

 

Okay, but MLK also said:

 

“The ultimate measure of a man is not where he stands in moments of comfort and convenience, but where he stands at times of challenge and controversy. Nothing worthwhile is easy. Your ability to overcome unfavorable situations will provide you with time to demonstrate your true strength and determination for success. Always set your standards high, your greatest achievements lie within the infinite feats you achieve in your life.”

 

And as a self-proclaimed critical thinker who allegedly did lots of research to conclude that getting vaccinated wasn’t right for him, Rodgers should consider the following MLK quote:

 

“Knowledge is a process of piling up facts; wisdom lies in their simplification.”

 

Oh, and based on the rules of Offensive Karma, Rodgers effectively fumbled away the Green Bay Packers’ dream of winning Super Bowl LVI.

14504: Why The LA Rams Will Win Super Bowl LIII.

For many years, MultiCultClassics has predicted the victor in NBA, MLB and NFL championships by applying the phenomenon of Offensive Karma.

Offensive Karma is defined by a team’s display of offensiveness in the form of words or actions rooted in bigotry, discrimination and ignorance—which then leads to the team’s ultimate demise in the championship tourney.

New England Patriots Tight End Rob Gronkowski deep-sixed his team’s chances with the 69 comment directed at a female reporter—a verbal fumble made especially offensive in this #MeToo era.

So look for the LA Rams to take the trophy. Unless anyone thinks LA Rams Cornerback Nickell Robey-Coleman trumps Gronk for getting away with blatant pass interference against the New Orleans Saints.

Update: Well, not only did New England overcome the Offensive Karma factor, offending culprit Gronkowski made key plays in the critical touchdown drive. It’s the NFL equivalent of Ted Royer landing a freelance gig with DDB. What’s next in 2019? Legal victories for Ralph Watson and Jeremy Perrott?

13580: More Garbage From Deutsch.

AgencySpy posted about a Taco Bell commercial created by Deutsch that sparked criticism regarding the brand’s racial insensitivity. Specifically, a version of the commercial showed a White man throwing garbage at a Black woman pushing her baby in a stroller—all taking place in a 1950s-style setting. Of course, the online discussions included the standard volleys between the offended and offended-by-the-offended, with the latter group labeling the former group as overreacting liberals. Meanwhile, Deutsch averted accountability in the matter, reportedly deferring to the client, who responded by stating, “We had no intention of upsetting anyone with this ad and apologize to anyone who was offended. We immediately re-edited the commercial and removed the original version from the air.” Contrary to the offended-by-the-offended’s position, Taco Bell’s apology and re-edit technically concede a mistake was made. Regardless, the teachable moment demands examining Deutsch’s role. Consider the White advertising agency’s history of deceit, extreme exclusivity, nepotism, sexist stupidity, cultural stereotyping and firing its Chief Diversity Officer. Why, the Taco Bell incident could be karma or cultural cluelessness—and probably a heaping serving of both.

13417: Why Cubs Will Win World Series.

The Chicago Cubs have a distinct advantage over the Cleveland Indians in the World Series: Offensive Karma.

Offensive Karma is defined by a team’s display of offensiveness in the form of words or actions rooted in bigotry, discrimination and ignorance—which then leads to the team’s ultimate demise in the championship tourney.

Alas, the Cleveland Indians are doomed because of the team icon, Chief Wahoo. ‘Nuff said.

12687: Black Hawks Down.

The Atlanta Hawks were swept in the Eastern Conference Finals by the Cleveland Cavaliers, who are now heading to the NBA Finals for the first time since 2007. But don’t be too quick to credit the extraordinary talent of LeBron James for the decisive victory. Rather, put the blame squarely on the Offensive Karma ignited by Hawks owner Bruce Levenson and Hawks general manager Danny Ferry. Thanks to Messrs. Levenson and Ferry, the Hawks couldn’t have beaten LeBron James—or even Kevin James.

12674: Hawks Should Concede Now.

The Cleveland Cavaliers defeated the Atlanta Hawks in Game 1 of the Eastern Conference Finals, leaving one to wonder if the Hawks should simply concede the series now. After all, the Offensive Karma sparked by Atlanta Hawks owner Bruce Levenson and Hawks general manager Danny Ferry virtually guarantees the team will not win a championship this year. More importantly, nobody wants to watch an NBA Finals featuring the Hawks.

12610: March Madness Offensive Karma.

Gee, it looks like Offensive Karma applies during NCAA March Madness too. To review, Offensive Karma is defined by a team’s display of offensiveness in the form of words or actions rooted in bigotry, discrimination and ignorance—which then leads to the team’s ultimate demise in a championship tourney. In the case of the NCAA Tournament, it actually worked in reverse. That is, Kentucky Guard Andrew Harrison used a racial slur in reference to Wisconsin Forward Frank Kaminsky during a post-game interview—after the Badgers had beaten the Wildcats. But hey, let’s not get caught up in technicalities.

12535: Atlanta Hawks Prediction.

As the NBA season recently marked its All-Star break, the Atlanta Hawks hold a commanding lead in the Southeast Division. Alas, it’s almost guaranteed that the team will not hoist a championship trophy this year—thanks to the Offensive Karma sparked by Bruce Levenson and Danny Ferry. The only way the Hawks could upset the prediction for failure would require other contending teams to outdo the cultural cluelessness—or if the Atlanta franchise hired a Black advertising agency to woo its predominately Black audience. Hey, it makes sense given the fact that Blacks comprise 54 percent of Atlanta’s population.

12348: Kaepernick’s Offensive Karma.

Was the San Francisco 49ers’ failure to make the playoffs after four straight years of post-season success—as well as the departure of Coach Jim Harbaugh—tied to Offensive Karma sparked by Quarterback Colin Kaepernick during a September loss to the Chicago Bears? Hey, it’s the only possible explanation currently out there.

12257: J.R. Smith On Black Friday.

The New York Daily News reported on New York Knicks Guard J.R. Smith and his Instagram post about Black Friday. Not sure if it matters whether or not this will result in Offensive Karma affecting the NBA team’s success. The lackluster and inept play by Smith and Carmelo Anthony make it all moot at this point.

Knicks’ J.R. Smith links ‘Black Friday’ to slavery in bizarre Instagram post

‘DID YOU KNOW: Black Friday stemmed from slavery? It was the day after Thanksgiving when slave traders would sell slaves for a discount,’ read the since-deleted graphic.

By Jaime Uribarri | NEW YORK DAILY NEWS

Don’t expect J.R. Smith to master something as complicated as the triangle offense when he can’t even grasp basic American history.

The Knicks shooting guard made a fool of himself on Instagram Tuesday night by linking the term “Black Friday” with slavery.

“DID YOU KNOW: Black Friday stemmed from slavery? It was the day after Thanksgiving when slave traders would sell slaves for a discount to assist plantation owners with more helpers for the upcoming winter (for cutting and stacking fire wood, winterproofing etc.), hence the name,” read the graphic, complete with an illustration of a slave auction.

“You’re a f------ idiot” was one of the the more blunt responses to the head-scratcher of a post, while others, like Twitter user @j_weech1, tried enlightening Smith about the true meaning of the term.

“It’s called Black Friday because businesses get into the black (profit) for the year, because it’s the biggest day.”

Smith’s only reaction was to quickly delete the post, but not before attentive Instagram users from took a screen shot for posterity.

Now untying opposing players’ shoelaces will go down as the second-dumbest thing Smith has ever done.

12229: Patriots Beat Offensive Karma.

Well, it looks like the New England Patriots were not affected by Offensive Karma resulting from the Twitter incident that played out last week, as Tom Brady and crew handily beat the Indianapolis Colts. In the end, the Patriots trumped Offensive Karma with offensive prowess, scoring 42 points versus the Colts’ 20 points. Apologies to anyone who took MultiCultClassics’ advice and bet on a Colts victory.

12224: Offensive Karma Hits Patriots…?

USA TODAY reported on the New England Patriots Twitter promotion gone racially awry. As this blunder was not blatantly deliberate on the Patriots’ part, it will be interesting to see if Offensive Karma comes into play as the team heads towards the playoffs. For now, place your bets on the Indianapolis Colts to beat the Patriots on Sunday.

Patriots apologize for tweeting racial slur in Twitter promotion

By Nina Mandell

On Thursday, the Patriots official Twitter account had a promotion where they thanked some of the followers who helped them reach a million followers with “digital custom jerseys”.

To make the jerseys the official account took the user’s twitter name and then added it onto the jersey and tweeted it. This included one user whose name was “I hate [racial slur]“, which quickly went viral.

On Thursday night, the Patriots issued an apology for the tweet.

While none were as offensive as the tweet the Patriots apologized for, some pretty ridiculous ones continued to get through:

12096: Offensive Karma & Kaepernick, 2.

DiversityInc reported on the controversy surrounding San Francisco 49ers Quarterback Colin Kaepernick allegedly directing the N-word towards Chicago Bears Defensive Lineman Lamarr Houston. Did he or didn’t he? Kaepernick denied any wrongdoing and is appealing the $11,025 fine that the league slapped on him. Houston stated that Kaepernick did indeed use the slur. Hopefully, there will be some official clarity, as Offensive Karma is at play here.

Did NFL Fine Colin Kaepernick for Using N-Word?

By Chris Hoenig

It appears that San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick may be the first player fined by the NFL for using the N-word on the field.

Kaepernick was fined $11,025 by the NFL last week for “direct[ing] abuse language toward” an opponent in the fourth quarter of the 49ers Week 2 matchup against the Chicago Bears, but the league did not provide any additional details. FOX Sports NFL Insider Jay Glazer reported that referees have said that Kaepernick directed the N-word at Bears defensive lineman Lamarr Houston.

Kaepernick, without going into any detail about what he was accused of saying, told reporters he planned to appeal the fine and that he had not done or said anything to warrant it.

“I didn’t say anything,” Kaepernick told reporters after the game, adding he was shocked when it was announced over the stadium PA that he was being penalized for “inappropriate language.”

The incident happened after Kaepernick threw the first of two late interceptions that helped spark the Bears’ 28-20 come-from-behind victory. As he celebrated Kyle Fuller’s interception, Houston jawed with Kaepernick, who shoved the 6’3”, 300-pound lineman and appeared to send a response his way.

Houston initially said publicly that he did not hear anything from Kaepernick, focusing instead on his own comment to the quarterback. “I said, ‘Nice pass,’” Houston told the Chicago Tribune.

“It will be appealed,” Kaepernick said after the fine was announced. “I didn’t say anything. Lamarr Houston said I didn’t say anything. We’re going to leave it at that.”

Kaepernick is biracial, but was adopted by a white couple when he was just a few weeks old.

Houston admitted after Glazer’s report went public, however, that Kaepernick did indeed use the N-word and curse at him.

“He was just saying inappropriate language,” Houston told the Chicago Tribune after the Bears beat the Jets in Week 3 on Monday Night Football—a game in which Houston himself was flagged for using inappropriate language toward an official. Asked if he was insulted, Houston said it was “a cultural thing.”

“I don’t know,” Houston said when asked about Monday night’s penalty. “[Umpire Tony Michalek] thought I cussed at him, but all I said was ‘Back up’ because he was all up on Willie [Young] and I just told him to back up some. I guess he was intimidated by it or whatever.”

The quick, decisive action by NFL brass to fine Kaepernick counters the league’s abysmal handling of the domestic-abuse allegations levied against several players in the past several months.

During the offseason, NFL owners weighed whether to implement an automatic 15-yard penalty for using the N-word—and other racial, ethnic and homophobic slurs—on the field.

Last July, a tape emerged that showed Philadelphia Eagles wide receiver Riley Cooper using the N-word at a Kenny Chesney concert. His tirade allegedly began after a security guard, who was Black, did not allow him backstage.

The team fined Cooper an undisclosed amount (though the NFL’s Collective Bargaining Agreement reportedly limits the fine to just over $37,000), but the league took no additional action.

12085: Offensive Karma & Kaepernick.

Sports Illustrated stated a report claimed San Francisco 49ers Quarterback Colin Kaepernick was hit for unsportsmanlike conduct after hurling a racial slur at a Chicago Bears defender. Kaepernick denies the accusation and is appealing the penalty fine. The truth is critical in this scenario, as Offensive Karma will impact the team’s chances for a championship.

Report: Kaepernick unsportsmanlike conduct penalty was for racial slur

The unsportsmanlike conduct penalty drawn by 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick during San Francisco’s loss last Sunday to the Chicago Bears was for using a racial slur, according to a Fox Sports report cited by the San Jose Mercury News.

Kaepernick threw three interceptions in Chicago’s 28-20 upset of the 49ers last week, the first regular season game played at Levi’s Stadium. After his third, he exchanged words with Bears defensive end Lamarr Houston and received an unsportsmanlike conduct penalty. Sideline video captured by KPIX-TV “appears to show that Kaepernick said something, although no audio could be heard,” according to the Mercury News.

Kaepernick told the Mercury News’ Tim Kawakami last week he did not say anything to Houston and that he did not use a slur. Referee Carl Cheffers attributed the penalty only to inappropriate language.

The 49ers quarterback is appealing his $11,025 fine for the penalty.