Montana Sen. Steve Daines agreed Tuesday to support a bill involving the ownership transfer of the Robert F. Kennedy Memorial Stadium Campus in Washington, D.C., after receiving assurances that the Washington Commanders of the NFL would work to honor the Blackfeet chief logo that was the franchise's brand for a half-century.
Daines, who lives in Bozeman, had said he wouldn't support the transfer of the stadium complex to the National Park Service until the Wetzel family of Montana was satisfied that the logo their grandfather, Walter "Blackie" Wetzel, had given to the then-Redskins in 1971 would be appropriately honored.
That includes no longer wiping the logo from the team's historic images, video and merchandise.
“I am proud to say, after speaking with my constituents, that they are satisfied with the ongoing negotiations with the team and feel optimistic about the direction that they are heading," Daines said during an Energy & Natural Resources Committee meeting Tuesday. "Therefore, I will support the bill and vote in favor of its passage out of committee with the condition that the team follows through on the commitments made to the family."
The committee subsequently voted 17-2 in favor of sending the bill to the full Senate to be voted on as a standalone bill or as part of a larger package. The Senate adjourns Dec. 20.
The image of Chief Two Guns White Calf was presented to Redskins owner Jack Kent Cooke in 1971 by Blackie Wetzel, a Blackfeet tribal member who was prominent in Indian affairs in Washington, D.C. When the Redskins banished their controversial nickname for the Commanders, the logo — which was far less controversial — was caught in the crossfire.
After many futile efforts to secure the rights to the logo, Wetzel's son Don, a former University of Montana basketball standout, traveled to Washington, D.C., three years ago to enlist Daines' support.
“Three years ago this week Don Wetzel came to my office to share with me his father’s legacy and the history behind the famous Washington logo," Daines said. "He had a vision to use the proud symbol to benefit his people."
Don Wetzel, who wanted to use the logo to call attention to Missing & Murdered Indigenous People (MMIP) and other Native issues, died in Helena in March 2023. His son Ryan has kept the mission alive.
“I urge the team to continue their dialogue and reach a conclusion that honors their past, honors Don Wetzel’s vision to use the logo to help Indian Country and honors the will of the Blackfeet Tribe to restore the logo to place of honor and prominence,” Daines said.
In the same committee meeting, the Montana Headwaters Legacy Act sponsored by Sen. Jon Tester — which amends the Wild & Scenic Rivers Act to protect 325 miles of 20 streams, many in southwest Montana — passed out of committee by one vote despite opposition from Daines.
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