This has been a horrible 2013 for the Washington Redskins.  It started last season in the playoffs when Robert Griffin III suffered a bad knee injury against the Seattle Seahawks in a game that most people didn’t think he should have been playing in to begin with.  RGIII was injured heading into the game.  Everyone watching could tell that he was in pain, slowed and not playing like he normally does.  To make matters worse, he was getting DESTROYED in the game.  The Redskins lost the game and had to endure an entire offseason of Coach Mike Shanahan getting questioned about whether he was to blame for RGIII getting hurt and whether he’d be ready for the season opener in September.

Then during the offseason, the debate about whether the Redskins should be forced to change their name popped up again.  This debate rages nonstop but every couple of years, it sees a spike in the push for the change.  This offseason saw the debate gain the most steam that it ever has.  President Obama spoke out calling for a name change and the NFL actually held meetings with Native American groups to discuss whether the name should be changed.  I went to a high school that was nicknamed the Redskins and I hold great pride in the name.  I don’t view it as racist and I don’t participate in tomahawk chops or chants that could be seen as degrading.  Does that make it alright?  I honestly don’t know.  Because I don’t have a problem with it doesn’t mean that no one else should have a problem with it.  I’d be fine with changing the name to the Braves if they want to keep a Native American theme to the team.  The problem is with the term Redskins which has been equated to the “N” word.  I think it will eventually be changed but I think it is still a few years away.

RGIII made it back in time to start the season but it has been a miserable season for the Redskins.  They are losing every week.  The defense is not good.  The offense stinks.  RGIII is not the same player.  It might be mental.  It might be physical.  It might be a combination of both.  Last night on MNF, the San Francisco 49ers took the Redskins to the woodshed.  One particular play sums up 2013 for the Washington Redskins…RGIII kicked in the groin by Aldon Smith: