In an open letter sent to the Washingtonian, the president of the National Congress of American Indians called for players from the NFL's Washington team to boycott games until owner Dan Snyder changes the franchise's mascot.
Fawn Sharp said the extreme measure is necessary to create meaningful change:
"It's time for the players to rip down that name like it was a statue of a Confederate general in their locker room.
"I am calling for members of the NFL franchise in Washington, DC, to rise to the occasion and become heroes.