Braves 'appreciate' Helsley's concerns about tomahawk chop chant

The Atlanta Braves heard St. Louis Cardinals reliever Ryan Helsley's concerns about the "tomahawk chop" chant and say they promise to continue their dialogue with the Native American community about its use.

"Our organization has sought to embrace all people and highlight the many cultures in Braves Country," the team said Saturday in a statement, according to The Associated Press. "We will continue to evaluate how we activate elements of our brand, as well as the in-game experience, and look forward to a continued dialogue with those in the Native American community once the season comes to an end."

The Braves said they "appreciate and take seriously" Helsley's concerns and have "worked to honor and respect the Native American community through the years."

Helsley, who is a member of the Cherokee nation, was stunned when he recently heard the chant during the National League Division Series in Atlanta. He called the tomahawk chop "a misrepresentation of the Cherokee people or Native Americans in general."

"Just depicts them in this kind of caveman-type people way who aren't intellectual," Helsley said. "They are a lot more than that. It's not me being offended by the whole mascot thing. It's not. It's about the misconception of us, the Native Americans, and how we're perceived in that way, or used as mascots. The (Washington) Redskins and stuff like that.

The Braves began using the tomahawk chop in 1991 after adopting it from the Florida State Seminoles, who have taken credit for its invention since the 1980s.

This isn't the first time the chant has been criticized, either. Prior to the 1991 World Series, hundreds of protesters gathered outside the Metrodome in Minnesota to denounce the Braves and their fans for using the tomahawk chop, calling it a racial stereotype.

"That's the disappointing part," Helsley said. "That stuff like this still goes on. It's just disrespectful, I think."

Helsley and the Cardinals could return to play the final contest of the division series in Atlanta on Oct. 9, if Game 5 is necessary.