The time has come once again for the annual battle on the gridiron better known as the Super Bowl. This year the event is being held at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas, Nevada with the San Francisco 49ers and Kansas City Chiefs.
In recent yers there has been a concerted effort to erase an unkind reference to Native Americans and their culture.
The Chiefs have outlawed any wearing of headdresses and war paint by fans, although some still sneak through, but one element remains and thunders through the stadium as a sign of support and cheering on the team – the war chant and chop!
The “Chop” began making its way into professional sports after then two sport player Deion Sanders entered professional football and baseball. A graduate of Florida State University – the Seminoles -, Sanders brought a bit of the university with him and introduced it to the fans of the Atlanta Braves, where it became a popular element of cheering on the team.
While the Chiefs have ceased playing the “War Chant”, fans continue to chant and wake their arms in support of the team.
Again this year, there will be groups of people who will be at Allegiant Stadium, not to watch the game, but to protest the use of Native American symbols; calling it demeaning and discriminatory toward Native Americans.
There is a story behind the origin of the “War Chant” and the Seminoles of Florida State…
There is a very large community of the Seminole Nation in Florida – they own the Hard Rock Café corporation. When deciding on a name for the university that began as a monastery and later a women’s college before going co-ed in 1946, the university approached the Seminole Nation and entered into a contract that allows the school to use their name and various symbols of the Nation.
Among them are the “chop” and the “War Chant” with music provided by the band – the Marching Chiefs. In fact, when you hear the “War Chant” being played by the Braves or Chiefs, it is a recording of the Marching Chiefs. The tune became so popular outside the university that the band has altered the tune to once again make it unique to the Seminoles.
Every element of symbology used by FSU has been approved by the Tribal Council of the Seminole Nation. A few years ago when FSU made some changes to the logo and uniforms, most notably the football uniforms, the Council had to first approve of the changes. The Seminole women created the design used on the uniforms and that is painted on the field.
The regalia worn by mascot Chief Osceola was DONATED by the Seminole Nation. There is nothing more thrilling and bone chilling than to see Chief Osceola riding out on the field astride Renegade holding a flaming spear that he then plants at midfield! All approved by the Nation.
The other side of the deal includes free tuition to FSU for members of the Nation and a percentage of Seminole merchandise sold.
I heartily approve of the removal of “dorky” symbols like the cartoon clown depictions that were once used by teams, but instead of just renaming a team, why not collaborate with one of the some 500 Native American Nations and truly honour The People?
Disclaimer: in full disclosure, I am a graduate of FSU and a very proud Seminole alum who has done my share of the “War Chant”…and still do.