Controversy emerges online involving Chicago Blackhawks changing their team name

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Ryan Hall
May 28, 2024 (9:53)

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Online sports bettor Steve Maltepes re-ignited the discussion about why certain professional sports teams can keep their names yet others cannot do to potential racist connotations. One team mentioned was the Chicago Blackhawks.

This controversy stretched back 2020 when the NFL Washington organization was forced to change their name to the Washington football team and then the Washington Commanders. This led to a flurry of other teams potentially changing their names yet the Blackhawks chose to keep their name.

"The Chicago Blackhawks' name and logo symbolizes an important and historic person, Black Hawk of Illinois' Sac & Fox Nation, whose leadership and life has inspired generations of Native Americans, veterans and the public,"

This decision by the Wirtz family to keep the Blackhawks name was due to honoring a historical person of Illinois who was Black Hawk of Illinois SAC and Fox Nation. Originally, Blackhawks first owner Frederic McLaughlin who was a commander with the 86th infantry division was named the Blackhawk division after chief Black Hawk to which he named his team in 1926.

"We celebrate Black Hawk's legacy by offering ongoing reverent examples of Native American culture, traditions and contributions, providing a platform for genuine dialogue with local and national Native American groups. As the team's popularity grew over the past decade, so did that platform and our work with these important organizations."

So it's safe to say the Blackhawks team name will remain and that this debate regarding the NHL organization has come to an end.

Source: CNN.com - The Chicago Blackhawks won't change nickname because it honors the life of an actual Native American