Erik Brady

USA TODAY Sports

Team says results show name honors Native Americans

Oneida Indian Nation says poll can%27t %22solve a moral problem%22

Washington's NFL club said Thursday that a poll showing public support for the team keeping its name "demonstrates continued, widespread and deep opposition to the Redskins changing our name."

The poll released by Public Policy Polling on Thursday found that 71% do not think the team should change its name, while 18% said the team should change it and 11% said they are not sure. The firm surveyed 741 registered voters through automated phone interviews and the margin of error is plus or minus 3.6%.

"The results of this poll are solidly in line with the message we have heard from fans and Native Americans for months --- our name represents a tradition, passion and heritage that honors Native Americans," the team said in a statement. "We respect the point of view of the small number of people who seek a name change, but it is important to recognize very few people agree with the case they are making."

Joel Barkin, a spokesman for the Oneida Indian Nation, which runs a national Change the Mascot campaign, said "there is no poll or financial transaction that can solve a moral problem."

Barkin said in a statement: "This flawed poll conveniently leaves out the fact that the R-word is a defined racial slur, and it fails to mention that a diverse coalition of Native American organizations, civil rights groups, public health organizations, religious leaders and sports icons have been joined by governors, the D.C. Council, Republican and Democratic Members of Congress and even the president of the United States in saying that now is the time for the mascot to change."

Among those who have said the team should change its name, or at least consider it, are President Obama, Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid and House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi, Washington's top Democrats. The poll said 90% of Republicans nationally believe the team should keep its name while 59% of Democrats said the same.

"We are proud of the support our name has across the nation," the team's statement said, "and we will continue to do everything we can to honor the great heritage that our name represents."

Team owner Daniel Snyder told USA TODAY Sports in May that he will never change the name.

GALLERY: Major players in name controversy