CBS’ Simms will not use ‘Redskins’ during Giants-Redskins

People tuning in to the New York Giants-Washington Redskins game Thursday night will not hear CBS color commentator Phil Simms use the term “Redskins.”

Simms has said that he will refer to the team only as Washington. Simms defended his decision, saying he was not taking sides, but understood the sensitive nature of the controversy.

Simms’ partner and play-by-play announcer Jim Nantz said it’s “not my job to take a stance.”

Also on Thursday, the leader of the Osage Nation has told his employees to refrain from using FedEx until Washington team owner Daniel Snyder changes the name of his team.

“Until the name of the NFL team is changed to something less inflammatory and insulting, I direct all employees to refrain from using FedEx when there is an alternative available,” Osage Nation Chief Geoffrey M. Standing Bear wrote to his employees.

“The Osage Nation chooses not to use FedEx services. We encourage other tribal nations to consider similar actions.”

Washington plays its home games at FedExField. The shipping company purchased the naming rights, according to Forbes, in 1999 in a 27-year, $207 million deal.

In a statement, FedEx responded to Standing Bear’s directive by saying: “FedEx has closely followed the dialogue and difference of opinion concerning the Washington Redskins team name, but we continue to direct questions about the name to the franchise owner.”