After it was announced that the Cleveland Indians’ controversial Chief Wahoo logo would be taken off team uniforms by next year, ESPN personality Max Kellerman said Notre Dame’s Fighting Irish mascot should be the next problematic symbol on the chopping block.

The First Take host argued that even if only some Irish-Americans are “offended” by the team’s name, their feelings should be respected and the storied Fighting Irish name should dropped for good.

He said the following this morning during a discussion on Chief Wahoo with beleaguered tweeter and noted weed critic Stephen A. Smith:

“How hard is it for you, or anyone, to empathize, simply empathize, with a group who is offended — even if it is a minority of the group that is offended… Many Irish-Americans are not offended, but many are. And should that also change? The answer is yes, unequivocally yes. Pernicious, negative stereotypes of marginalized people that offend even some among them should be changed. It’s not that hard.”

During the segment, Kellerman also suggested that a Washington Post survey on the NFL’s Washington Redskins which suggests many aren’t offended by the name was not “representative” of the way the minority group feels. His evidence for this claim relied on personal experiences where he has been thanked for his “stance” against the mascot while visiting reservations throughout the US.

“When I go to Native-American reservations around the country to call fights, I am approached — I’ve received feathers in honor and letters saying, ‘Thank you for your stance,'” Kellerman said.

Watch above, via ESPN.

[image via screengrab]

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