It has been quite a year, not always happy for Redskins fans. Yet, the most popular stories on Redskins Hog Heaven had nothing to do with RGIII. It was all about that name.
We looked back at our most popular blog posts published in 2014 for hints on what to write about in 2005. These were the 10 most read:
No. 1: Native American Redskins fan reveals what they don’t want you to know about the r-word, by Mark One Wolf, June 16, 2014.
Mark One Wolf is a champion in the defense of the Washington Redskins’ team name who organized other Native American fans in a grass roots campaign to respond to the shrill voices who malign the brand as something it has never been, at least not the way the Redskins use it. One Wolf describes the spiritual significance of the color red as a source of unity and pride. It is a counter argument to those who blindly insist that it is a slur.
For his troubles, One Wolf found himself under attack for his authenticity. In America, nobody is pure anything, but only Native Americans are required to prove their pedigree using documents of governments that once tried to destroy them. We see that as a divide and conquer tactic by those moving to change a name that does not belong to them. Allegiance to the team and the right to speak up for the brand is not a matter of bloodline. No one has challenged the truth of what One Wolf said. That is good enough for Hog heaven.
No. 2: Native American Fan tells why he is Blackfeet Strong, Redskins Proud, by Robert Door, November 12, 2013.
This guest post had legs. Published in late 2013, Robert Door’s moving account of how he became a Redskins fans as a child on the Blackfeet reservation in Montana still throws a punch. Blog posts have a life expectancy of 48 hours before slipping to cache heaven. It helped that we pinned it to our home page, but the audience hit before we did that. The comments to this post are equally compelling.
No. 3: The Power of Pride and Honor: Blackfeet tribal member describes the power of ‘Redskins,’ by Robert Door, August 6, 2014.
Robert Rides at the Door emerged as a Native American grassroots leader leading a fan defense of the team name by the time he wrote this story published just before the 2014 NFL regular season. He says the Washington Redskins team name pays homage to Native American values of Honor, Respect, Pride and Unity. What’s more, Native Americans proclaim that pride by their support of all Native-themed team names. Redskinsfacts.com linked to this story.
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The mainstream press does not pick up stories like this. On rare occasions when they do, they include more words describing why the writer is somehow wrong, misinformed, in the pay of Daniel Snyder or as noted, somehow illegitimate. That is why these stories were so well read. One could read it with the sense that the author is coming from a sincere place. Hog Heaven is honored that these writers allowed us to publish their stories.
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No. 4: Redskins surprise cuts #1: You say Helu, I say good-bye, by Scott Hirsch, June 2, 2014.
Anything is possible in that fun time when we anticipate the upcoming season. Scott Hirsch sensed that new coach Jay Gruden would lean towards Darrel Young in the backfield over Roy Helu, Jr. He guessed that Chris Thompson and Lache Seastrunk would find favor with Gruden, too. Gruden fooled us all.
No. 5: Business as usual for Redskins GM Bruce Allen should make Redskins fans a little nervous, by Greg Trippiedi, February 24, 2014.
This is one of the last stories long-time contributor Greg Trippiedi wrote for Hog heaven. Cannot say he didn’t warn us.
No. 6: The Redskins steal of the Draft, by Scott Hirsch, May 19, 2014.
We wondered which of the rookies would stand out. By coincidence, we published this story with an image of Bashaud Breeland. It pays to be lucky.
No. 7: The Redskins can fix their offense in one offseason, by Greg Trippiedi, January 26, 2014.
Greg Trippiedi saw addition in the subtraction of the Shanahans. He looked at the players who should step up. Sadly, they did not.
No. 8: The Redskins defense is better than you think, but won’t improve much in 2014, by Greg Trippiedi, January 28, 2014.
Right on both counts.
No. 9: 5 reasons why the Redskins will improve this year that don’t involve RGIII, by Anthony Brown, April 14, 2014.
I expected the ‘Skins to beat the Vikings, Buccaneers, Texans and Rams when I wrote this.
No. 10: Redskins surprise cut #2: A rolling stone gathers no (Santana) Moss, by Scott Hirsch, June 10, 2014.
Scott again guesses that Gruden would go with younger, presumably better red zone targets, Ryan Grant, Aldrick Robinson and Leonard Hankerson. Maybe Gruden was not full in charge of the roster.
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Thank you for sticking with us in a difficult season. Are you a fan with something to say about the Washington Redskins? Be a Hog Heaven contributor. Drop a note to [email protected]. There is no money in it, but your voice is heard.
Hail and hope for a better year.
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