

Lots of tweets coming your way, Senator Reid. (AP Photo/Lauren Victoria Burke)

Last Friday, Redskins President Bruce Allen sent a letter to Sen. Harry Reid (D-Nev.) defending the team’s name, calling it “respectful” toward Native Americans. Several players tweeted their approval of Allen’s response over the weekend, and on Thursday, the team called upon fans to do the same.

Tweet @SenatorReid to show your #RedskinsPride and tell him what the team means to you. — Washington Redskins (@Redskins) May 29, 2014

The team also e-mailed fans a request to contact Reid. The responses came fast and furious. And while the early responses on Twitter seemed evenly divided between supporters and opposition, the #RedskinsPride hashtag soon attracted hundreds of jokes about the team’s on-field performance and complaints about the team’s stance.

“From our perspective, what we saw [on Twitter] was just overwhelming opposition,” said Faiz Shakir, Reid’s digital director. “It’s really made our day.”

The Facebook pages of both Reid and the Redskins, meanwhile, were filled with comments supporting the team name.

In an email to fans, the Redskins asked people to contact Reid on Facebook, Twitter or via email. Many chose Facebook pic.twitter.com/2fkDOByGGl — Dan Steinberg (@dcsportsbog) May 29, 2014

Either way, the hashtag “RedskinsPride” soon became the top tag both nationally and in the Washington region.

“@Redskins: Tweet @SenatorReid to tell him what the team means to you.” Willful blindness to genocide and racism. #RedskinsPride — Jackal Silva (@jackalsilva) May 29, 2014

#RedskinsPride @SenatorReid Senator Reid..how about making an effort to fix the VA. — Michael Lupacchino (@lupacchinom) May 29, 2014

@SenatorReid Why don’t you pass a budget before messing with the @Redskins name? Oh wait your don’t care… #RedskinsPride #KnowYourWhy — Nathan Truncale (@NathanTruncale) May 29, 2014

#RedskinsPride means a proud tradition of racist owners, criminals as players, and a name that’s a racial slur. — Avatar Kyoshi (@DearLeader10) May 29, 2014

Insensitivity, hypocrisy, racism. RT @Redskins: Tweet @SenatorReid to show your #RedskinsPride and tell him what the team means to you. — A (@Ab_Weezy) May 29, 2014

Stop making laws and make me feel ok about my team’s slur RT @Redskins: Tweet @SenatorReid to show your #RedskinsPride and tell him what the — Turnt On Howie (@KeeepSwinging) May 29, 2014

@SenatorReid. Redskins is an institution of NFL football. You just can’t change 81 yrs of tradition #RedskinsPride — Stephanie Bogan (@mayfeb8303) May 29, 2014

Ignorant commercialization of race. RT @Redskins: Tweet @SenatorReid to show your #RedskinsPride and tell him what the team means to you. — Daniel Bentley (@DJBentley) May 29, 2014

Steve Spurrier didn’t know half the names of his defensive players. #RedskinsPride — Daniel Pearson (@JawlineDanny) May 29, 2014

being on the wrong side of history RT @Redskins Tweet @SenatorReid to show your #RedskinsPride and tell him what the team means to you. — Sam Greszes (@SamGreszeseses) May 29, 2014

When I think of #redskinspride I think of spitting in the face of all that is reasonable & humane & benevolent @Redskins @SenatorReid — A$/\P java$cript (@__a_c_r__) May 29, 2014

Having to explain ignorance 2 my kids“@Redskins: Tweet @SenatorReid to show your #RedskinsPride and tell him what the team means to you.” — Jennie Bea (@IndigeniusIdeas) May 29, 2014

Change your name first. RT @Redskins: Tweet @SenatorReid to show your #RedskinsPride and tell him what the team means to you. — Andrei Strizek (@AndreiStrizek) May 29, 2014

I’ve loved this team my whole life. Change the name. RT @redskins Tweet @SenatorReid to show your #RedskinsPride — paulscan (@paulscan) May 29, 2014

#RedskinsPride means doubling down and embracing team’s racist history and racist name rather than moving to change it. — Trevor (@CmradeQuestions) May 29, 2014

The thousands of Terrible Towels at that home game against Pittsburgh in Nov. 2008. #RedskinsPride — Daniel Pearson (@JawlineDanny) May 29, 2014

A shameful, continuing legacy of racism.“@Redskins: Tweet @SenatorReid to show your #RedskinsPride and tell him what the team means to you.” — Cait Simpson (@CaitSimpson) May 29, 2014

Was thought up by racist team owner. RT @Redskins: Tweet @SenatorReid to show your #RedskinsPride and tell him what the team means to you. — Gary Legum (@YeDevolutionist) May 29, 2014

Hey @SenatorReid, Nationalize the @Redskins, change the name, and give profits to the Native Americans currently in poverty. #RedskinsPride — ♔ Royal ♔ (@royaltheartist) May 29, 2014

I’m glad I’m a fan of the Bengals, an incompetent but racism-free football team. #RedskinsPride — Scott Keyes (@smkeyes) May 29, 2014

The Choctaw reservation in Mississippi is one of the saddest places I have ever visited. #RedskinsPride @redskins — Gai Pan T. Jenkins (@Gai_Pan) May 29, 2014

Dear @SenatorReid — please change the name. If #RedskinsPride requires the @Redskins to have a racist team name then it’s not worth having. — Mac ‘ic Illeasbuig (@LingoCat) May 29, 2014

Maybe I have no appreciation for tradition, but when your team name *is* a racial slur, I think it should go. #RedskinsPride — Laura Holloway (@CreatrixAnima) May 29, 2014

You make me ashamed to live in this town RT @Redskins Tweet @SenatorReid to show your #RedskinsPride and tell him what the team means to you — Erik (@dexhandle) May 29, 2014

Sad I can’t support my home team RT @Redskins: Tweet @SenatorReid to show your #RedskinsPride and tell him what the team means to you. — sarah (@sarahrodeo) May 29, 2014

A racial slur. That’s what it means. RT @Redskins: Tweet @SenatorReid to show your #RedskinsPride and tell him what the team means to you. — Wyl Villacres (@wyllinois) May 29, 2014

A cringe-worthy mascot. RT @Redskins: Tweet @SenatorReid to show your #RedskinsPride and tell him what the team means to you. — Eric Haywood (@Eric_Haywood) May 29, 2014

A team I should be embarrassed 2 root for? “@Redskins Tweet @SenatorReid to show your #RedskinsPride & tell him what the team means to you.” — MattyG (@mgavejian) May 29, 2014

@Redskins @SenatorReid #redskinspride means keeping the racist name of a team formerly owned by a terrible bigot for “heritage” purposes — Dave H (@theballisorange) May 29, 2014

Celebrating genocide and touchdowns #redskinspride — Crooklyn Bungler (@BrooklynJuggler) May 29, 2014

#RedskinsPride is the same thing as being proud of the Confederate flag you have draped on the back of your pickup @Redskins @SenatorReid — I’m Steven (@DeusExJuice) May 29, 2014

the power of $$ to hold firm against basic human decency MT @Redskins: show your #RedskinsPride and tell him what the team means to you. — paul (@_walkingEye) May 29, 2014

As a colts fan, thanks for making Irsay look good #redskinspride @SenatorReid @Redskins — Corey Frayer (@csfrayer) May 29, 2014

“@Redskins: Tweet @SenatorReid to show your #RedskinsPride and tell him what the team means to you.” Racism, that’s what it means — Senator Hornbread (@LincolnsRevenge) May 29, 2014

Anybody have a Pat Ramsey rookie jersey? RT @Redskins Tweet @SenatorReid to show your #RedskinsPride & tell him what the team means to you — Josef Stylin (@_Hozay) May 29, 2014

More objectionable than “Bullets,” for starters. @Redskins: Tweet @SenatorReid show #RedskinsPride and tell him what the team means to you. — John Bowman (@johnbowman) May 29, 2014

It’s offensive, change the name RT @Redskins: Tweet @SenatorReid to show your #RedskinsPride and tell him what the team means to you. — Kimbo Nice (@Ms_KStarrr) May 29, 2014

#RedskinsPride means having 10,000 fans in the third quarter of a game last year. — Joe Wright (@Sctvman) May 29, 2014

An owner more embarrassing than Jerrah RT @Redskins Tweet @SenatorReid to show your #RedskinsPride and tell him what the team means to you. — Adam J. Morris (@lonestarball) May 29, 2014

3-13 RT @Redskins: Tweet @SenatorReid to show your #RedskinsPride and tell him what the team means to you. — Ben Natan (@BenNatan2) May 29, 2014

I hate being a fan of this stupid team RT @Redskins: Tweet @SenatorReid to show your #RedskinsPride and tell him what the team means to you. — Michael Klopman (@Mklopman) May 29, 2014

#RedskinsPride because keeping the tshirt in my closet accurate is much more important than whole races of people — bd (@IHatebd) May 29, 2014

As a Canadian First Nation I find all Native Americans as mascots to be racist #RedskinsPride #ClevelandIndians #FloridaSeminoles #Braves — Greg (@GBTRU) May 29, 2014

What a clown show. I hate my team. RT “@Redskins: Tweet @SenatorReid to show your #RedskinsPride and tell him what the team means to you.” — Brandon Russell (@brandon_russell) May 29, 2014

Racist cultural appropriation? RT @Redskins: Tweet @SenatorReid to show your #RedskinsPride and tell him what the team means to you. — JJ (@ManWithoutPants) May 29, 2014

my team is stupid. sorry, America. RT @Redskins Tweet @SenatorReid to show your #RedskinsPride and tell him what the team means to you — Omeed Ilchi (@ideemo) May 29, 2014

The @Redskins have been around since the 1930’s right? NOW we have a prob w/name? These #PC issues are only meant to distract #RedSkinsPride — Julianna (@MusicByJules) May 29, 2014

#RedskinsPride Losing to the 2009 Lions who had lost 19 straight. — Jack Selby (@StopSneetchin) May 29, 2014

#RedskinsPride means I can’t root for the local team because of the racist name. @Redskins @SenatorReid — maximumbob (@maximumbob) May 29, 2014

The team means a lot. The name means nothing. RT Tweet @SenatorReid to show your #RedskinsPride and tell him what the team means to you. — Furious Frank (@FuriousFrank) May 29, 2014

Redskins is not a racist name & honors the team, whereas @SenatorReid is a racist who instead should concentrate on Bengazi. #RedskinsPride — Mike Stanton (@mike_stanton) May 29, 2014

As a new DC resident, I wish I could have #RedskinsPride, but I can’t with an offensive name like that. cc @SenatorReed — Althea May (@alymaybe) May 29, 2014

@SenatorReid I grew up going to games at RFK with my dad so I know all about #RedskinsPride and I think they should change their name NOW — Jonathan Moreland (@jwmoreland78) May 29, 2014

Gave my gear to charity and refuse to watch any more games. Not a fan of racial slurs or lying to myself that it isn’t one #redskinspride — Bones (@Bonestotheface) May 29, 2014

#RedskinsPride Drafting Malcolm Kelly and Devin Thomas — Mac (@MCass_93) May 29, 2014

#RedskinsPride is full of white guilt, seriously people, get a life. — Adam S Prenger (@idrawrobots) May 29, 2014

@SenatorReid #redskinspride focus on politics not an NFL team name — David Safren (@dsafren5) May 29, 2014

Even if you think the name should be changed, you should tell @SenatorReid to shut up & do his job. #RedskinsPride — Meanwich 30 (@Chris_Clukey) May 29, 2014

Hell yeah love my Redskins! #RedskinsPride — Tony Hensley (@HensleyTony) May 29, 2014

@SenatorReid Keep the name fix the VA! If you don’t like them dont watch them. Free speech for all! #RedskinsPride — Roy Robertson (@bigrob622) May 29, 2014

systemic entrenched racism —> RT @Redskins: Tweet @SenatorReid to show your #RedskinsPride and tell him what the team means to you. — Coya Hope (@coyahope) May 29, 2014

If youre more angry about an NFL team’s name than about our vets dying due to government corruption, you might be a liberal. #RedskinsPride — Starz and Strypz (@StarzandStrypz) May 29, 2014

#RedskinsPride is a reminder of a genocide that we haven’t reckoned with @Redskins @SenatorReid — Max Berger (@maxberger) May 29, 2014

Being #1 at racism in a division with Riley Cooper. RT @Redskins Tweet @SenatorReid to show #RedskinsPride and tell him what team means. — Bottle Cst. Clarkson (@50_MissionCap) May 29, 2014

Jim Zorn, Vinny Cerrato, Pepper Rodgers, Daryl Russell, Albert Haynesworth, Jeff George, Michael Westbrook #RedskinsPride — Chris Shue (@Chris_Shue) May 29, 2014

We took their land, slaughtered hundreds of thousands and wiped entire tribes and cultures off of the map. #RedskinsPride — Melissa M Melville (@nerdygrrl) May 29, 2014

Zero 11-win seasons since 1991. That’s 22 years, people. #RedskinsPride — Mr. Irrelevant (@MrIrrelevantDC) May 29, 2014

More on the Redskins name:

Schlereth: ‘It’s time to change the name’

Bruce Allen, Redskins players tweet support of team name

Wale says Sen. Harry Reid is using Redskins name debate to make a bigger name for himself