WASHINGTON -- Washington Redskins president Bruce Allen said in a letter to Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid on Saturday that the pro football teams nickname is "respectful" toward Native Americans. Wholesale Shoes From China . On Thursday, half the U.S. Senate urged National Football League Commissioner Roger Goodell to change the Washington clubs name, saying it is a racist slur and it is time to replace it. The franchise responded by releasing Allens letter. "Our use of Redskins as the name of our football team for more than 80 years has always been respectful of and shown reverence toward the proud legacy and traditions of Native Americans," he wrote. The letter references research that "the term Redskins originated as a Native American expression of solidarity." It notes that the teams logo was designed by Native American leaders and cites surveys that Native Americans and Americans as a whole support the name. Redskins owner Daniel Snyder has refused to change the name, citing tradition, but there has been growing pressure including statements in recent months from President Barack Obama, lawmakers of both parties and civil rights groups. Last month, Reid took to the Senate floor to say Snyder should "do what is morally right" and change the name. In a letter Thursday, 49 senators mentioned the National Basketball Associations quick action recently to ban Los Angeles Clippers owner Donald Sterling for life after he was heard on an audio recording making offensive comments about blacks. They said Goodell should formally push to rename the Redskins. "We urge you and the National Football League to send the same clear message as the NBA did: that racism and bigotry have no place in professional sports," read the letter, which did not use the word "Redskins." Sen. Bill Nelson of Florida wrote his own letter saying he doesnt believe that retaining the Redskin name "is appropriate in this day and age." In a written response Thursday, NFL spokesman Brian McCarthy said "the intent of the teams name has always been to present a strong, positive and respectful image." Reid and Sen. Maria Cantwell of Washington state led the letter-writing effort. All senators on the letter are Democrats. Cantwell spokesman Jared Leopold said Republicans were not asked to participate. The senators noted that tribal organizations representing more than two million Native Americans across the U.S. have said they want the Redskins name dropped. Despite federal laws protecting their identity, "Every Sunday during football season, the Washington, D.C., football team mocks their culture," they wrote. "The NFL can no longer ignore this and perpetuate the use of this name as anything but what it is: a racial slur." Wholesale China Shoes Free Shipping . Scotlands Greg Laidlaw made one of two penalty kicks and all three conversions, and Stuart Hogg added a try in the second half. "The most important thing to come out of the game is that we did not get scored against," Laidlaw said. Cheap Replica Shoes China . PETERSBURG, Fla. http://www.wholesaleshoes.us.org/ . - Carter Verhaeghe scored the winner with 41 seconds to go as the Niagara IceDogs edged the North Bay Battalion 3-2 to even their first-round series at a game apiece in Ontario Hockey League playoff action on Sunday.JACKSONVILLE, Fla. - The Jacksonville Jaguars might be evaluating more than players at the Senior Bowl.Coach Gus Bradley and his staff took a charter bus to Mobile, Alabama, on Monday to coach the South team in the college all-star game. Bradley also could end up hiring an offensive co-ordinator during the weeklong event.Bradley already interviewed seven candidates for the job, which opened when Jedd Fisch was fired two days after the regular season ended.Bradley interviewed Minnesotaa running backs coach Kirby Wilson on Jan. Cheap Shoes China Wholesale. 8, followed by San Francisco offensive co-ordinator Greg Roman (Jan. 10), former Buffalo head coach Doug Marrone (Wednesday), Oakland offensive co-ordinator Greg Olson (Thursday), former Buffalo offensive co-ordinator Nathaniel Hackett (Friday), Jets running backs coach Anthony Lynn (Saturday) and former Denver offensive co-ordinator Adam Gase (Sunday).___AP NFL website: www.pro32.ap.org and www.twitter.com/AP_NFL ' ' '