This is what the kids would call a fail.
The Washington Redskins' team name has been a PR disaster for the NFL in recent years. Despite overwhelming demand from players, fans, and even politicians to change the team nickname to something that's not a racial slur, owner Dan Snyder has stubbornly refused to budge on the issue.
On Thursday, the team's official account launched a hashtag campaign on Twitter asking fans to explain their "#RedskinsPride" to Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, who wants the name changed.
Tweet @SenatorReid to show your #RedskinsPride and tell him what the team means to you.— Washington Redskins (@Redskins) May 29, 2014
Predictably, this quickly backfired. The team clearly intended to rally supporters behind its offensive nickname, but critics quickly took over the hashtag.
Here are some of our favorite Twitter reactions:
People knew right away that this would not end well
This won't end well. RT @Redskins: Tweet @SenatorReid to show your #RedskinsPride and tell him what the team means to you.— Nia-Malika Henderson (@NiaWaPo) May 29, 2014
Even fans of the team were left shaking their head
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
Fans were quick to join the team's recent PR and on-field failures
And like most Redskins seasons, the epic fail begins long before the season does. #redskinspride— John Flowers (@MrJohnFlowers) May 29, 2014
Comedian/Twitter troll Rob Delaney pointed out the absurdity of the situation
.@Redskins @SenatorReid Hitler studied American Indian reservations while designing German concentration camps. #RedskinsPride!— rob delaney (@robdelaney) May 29, 2014
Users began to highlight why the team name is so problematic to begin with
Discounting the voice of Native leaders“@Redskins: Tweet @SenatorReid to show your #RedskinsPride and tell him what the team means to you.”— Jennie Bea (@IndigeniusIdeas) May 29, 2014
Users began to draw attention to the campaign
Tweet @Redskins to show ur disgust at the #RedskinsPride hashtag & tell them what Native American genocide means to u pic.twitter.com/JvafPgMKzB— Rania Khalek (@RaniaKhalek) May 29, 2014
And were quick to (correctly) bring the blame back to the team owner
Dan Snyder is a scumbag. Happy? RT @Redskins: Tweet @SenatorReid to show your #RedskinsPride and tell him what the team means to you.— daveweigel (@daveweigel) May 29, 2014
This last one really sums it all up
Winner for WORST tweet of the day: "@Redskins: Tweet @SenatorReid to show your #RedskinsPride and tell him what the team means to you."— Geneva Smith (@GenevaSmith) May 29, 2014