Second thoughts

Redskins get dose of fake news

A report suggesting that the Washington Redskins would change their controversial nickname and logo was discovered to be a hoax.
A report suggesting that the Washington Redskins would change their controversial nickname and logo was discovered to be a hoax.

An unknown entity launched several online web pages disguised as legitimate news outlets Wednesday, claiming the Washington Redskins have bowed to political pressure and changed their controversial team nickname to the Redhawks.

"This morning, the Redskins organization was made aware of fraudulent websites about our team name," Tony Wyllie, the Redskins' senior vice president of communications, said in a statement sent via email. "The name of the team is the Washington Redskins and will remain that for the future."

The campaign included at least five pages and a Twitter account and the links were widely shared on social media. It was not immediately clear who was behind the elaborate effort.

One of the pages -- washingtonredhawks.com -- closely resembles the Redskins' official web site, but features a burgundy and gold logo of a hawk head, not the familiar Redskins' logo.

"The updated 'Washington Redhawks' was inspired by team owner Dan Snyder's deep admiration for Native Americans," reads a news story on the fake team site. "It is a symbol of everything we stand for: strength, courage, pride, and respect -- the same values we know guide Native Americans and which are embedded throughout their rich history as the original Americans."

Wyllie said the matter has been forwarded to the league office. A spokesman for the NFL did not immediately return a request for comment.

The other pages resemble the news sites of The Washington Post, ESPN, Sports Illustrated and Bleacher Report, and feature fake news stories related to the supposed name change, citing names of real people including activists, politicians, fans, Redskins Coach Jay Gruden and the team owner.

'Call me stupid'

Pro golfer Mark Hensby, who was suspended for one year by the PGA Tour after he failed to provide a drug testing sample, said Wednesday he made "an error in judgment" that "had nothing to do with taking a banned substance."

"Call me stupid, but don't call me a cheater," Hensby said. "I love the game. I love the integrity it represents. And I would never compromise the values and qualities the game deserves."

Hensby, 46, wrote that he opted not to take a urine test after his final round at the Sanderson Farms PGA Tour event on Oct. 26 in "a moment of anger and frustration."

He was prepared to take blood test, he writes in a statement posted by Brian Wacker of Golf Digest, but had recently urinated and would not have been able to produce another urine sample for "at least a couple more hours."

"I made a terrible decision to not stay around that evening to take the urine test," Hensby wrote. "My emotions got the better of me. Obviously in hindsight I should have been more patient, more rational and taken the test."

Sports quiz

The Washington Redskins were originally based where?

Answer

Boston

Sports on 12/14/2017

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