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Redskins Player Says Officials Are Unfair to Them Because of Their Team Name

Washington Redskins v Carolina Panthers
“I don’t give a crap about the name,” says Jason Hatcher, left. “We are players. We’ve got feelings, too, and we want to win, too.” Photo: Streeter Lecka/Getty Images

The Washington Redskins got blown out by the undefeated Panthers yesterday, and the Redskins were unhappy with several calls by the officiating crew, including an unnecessary roughness penalty that negated a Washington touchdown. And after the game, Washington defensive end Jason Hatcher said that he believed the team was treated unfairly by the officials because of its controversial nickname. Said Hatcher: “We shouldn’t have to be punished for that.”

Hatcher said that this kind of thing happens every game. Via Deadspin:

The Redskins were called for 9 penalties for 68 yards — not much more than Carolina, which had 8 for 66. But the Redskins were frustrated after the game with the officiating, as some of their penalties came at pivotal moments in the game. (The Panthers would go on to win 44–16, but the negated touchdown by Chris Culliver would have given the Redskins a 21–14 lead.)

Added Hatcher after that video clip ended: “We’re in the league, too. We’re [NFL] players. We got a team, too. We go out there, and we sweat and work hard, too. I don’t give a crap about the name. We are players. We’ve got feelings, too, and we want to win, too.”

Redskins Player Says Officials Target Them