NFL owner: Redskins name issue 'gradually going away'

The NFL is in no hurry to force a change to the Washington Redskins' controversial nickname.

On the same day a new Washington Post poll of about 500 self-identified Native Americans found nine in 10 don't find the name "Redskins" to be offensive, an NFL owner told The Post's Mark Maske that the NFL isn't pushing hard for a name change.

"I do think (the poll) will affect the attitudes of some owners," said the owner, who requested anonymity.

Perhaps not in a way that will generate change, however.

"There has not been much discussion about this, at least to my knowledge," the owner said. "I get the sense that this issue is gradually going away."

It's unclear if the owner meant "going away" in the sense that the name will gradually fade away (some publications have stopped using the name and merely refer to the team as Washington) or that members of the public will eventually stop pushing for a name change.

Redskins owner Dan Snyder has insisted he'll never change the name.