Senator Harry Reid's office: #RedskinsPride campaign 'has failed miserably'
On Thursday afternoon, the Washington Redskins announced a Twitter campaign with the goal of uniting fans in support of the team's name by using the hashtag #RedskinsPride in tweets directed at Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid.
It didn't exactly go as planned.
#RacialSlurPride RT @Redskins: Tweet @SenatorReid to show your #RedskinsPride and tell him what the team means to you.
— Jamil Smith (@JamilSmith) May 29, 2014
OK. RT @Redskins: Tweet @SenatorReid to show your #RedskinsPride and tell him what the team means to you. pic.twitter.com/L9DBy0KSVA
— Jeb Lund (@Mobute) May 29, 2014
Giving smallpox infected blankets to children #redskinspride
— Jason Bintliff (@CPTPhiladelphia) May 29, 2014
Dakota 38 were called redskins b4 largest mass hanging in us history. No #redskinspride here @SenatorReid pic.twitter.com/Bdfi8eJ1nM
— Dani (@xodanix3) May 29, 2014
The best 3-13 season ever RT @Redskins: Tweet @SenatorReid to show your #RedskinsPride and tell him what the team means to you.
— conor (@CDthaSad) May 29, 2014
Last week, Senator Reid sent a letter on behalf of 50 U.S. Senators calling on the NFL to pressure the team to change the name.
On Thursday, Reid's office was quick to acknowledge the team's failed campaign.
"The Skins tried to engage folks, and it has failed miserably," Faiz Shakir, Reid's digital director, told Deadspin. "We haven't found more than one or two that are actually supportive."
The Redskins join the NFL's ill-fated #AskGoodell Q&A, the NCAA's #AskEmmert effort and the Toronto Maple Leafs' failed #SeaOfBlue campaign in the annals of recent social media blunders in sports.
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