National Football League

Redskins urge fans to troll Sen. Harry Reid, and it doesn't go well

Published May. 29, 2014 9:25 p.m. ET

foxsports

The Washington Redskins have launched a Twitter onslaught at Sen. Harry Reid in their campaign to keep the team's name.

The Redskins instructed fans Thursday to tweet the Nevada Democrat to show their "RedskinsPride" and "tell him what the team means to you."

Fans did just that -- but not always in a manner the Redskins would have preferred, with many telling Reid they support his efforts to change the name. Soon, both "RedskinsPride" and "changethename" were trending in the D.C. area.

Reid said last month that Redskins owner Dan Snyder should "do what is morally right" and change the name. Last week, half of the Senate wrote letters to the NFL urging a change, calling the name a racist slur.

Snyder, meanwhile, has vowed never to change the name.

After many of the responses on twitter backfired on the Redskins, Reid's digital director, Faiz Shakir, told the Washington Post that the failed Twitter campaign had "really made our day."

"What we saw was a collective, overwhelming outpouring that was heavily critical of the team. I hope that causes the organization to reflect on why that occurred," Shakir said.

Here's just a sampling of the twitter backlash:

A "trail of tears" without end? "@Redskins Tweet @SenatorReid to show your #RedskinsPride & tell him what the team means to you"
— Dave Zirin (@EdgeofSports) May 29, 2014

This is what @Redskins means to me @SenatorReid #ChangetheName #NotYourMascot #Not4Sale #HTTR #Redskins pic.twitter.com/pVquZLf6ml
— Jacqueline Keeler (@jfkeeler) 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

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

.@Redskins @SenatorReid a disgrace to a metro area that prides itself on its diversity.
— Raptor Jesus (@madrugadita) May 29, 2014

.@Redskins Change the name of your sport franchise. Change the name of your sport franchise. Change the name of your sport franchise.
— Sam Vuchenich (@samvuchenich) May 29, 2014

It's a reprehensible, racist name & should be changed. mRT @Redskins Tweet @SenatorReid and tell him what the team means to you.
— Celticfeminist (@celticfeminist) May 29, 2014

Obstinate ignorance & racism. RT @Redskins: Tweet @SenatorReid to show your #RedskinsPride and tell him what the team means to you.
— Hugh C. McBride (@hughcmcbride) May 29, 2014

@Redskins @senatorreid @MattBinder I was born a Washington fan. What does the team name mean to me in one word? embarrassed.
— Finn (@Finn_aka_Jeremy) May 29, 2014

This was probably a bad idea! RT @Redskins: Tweet @SenatorReid to show your #RedskinsPride
— chrismchaines (@chrismchaines) May 29, 2014

The @Redskins are gonna fire whoever came up with this #RedskinsPride hashtag long before they ever #ChangeTheName.
— Eric Haywood (@Eric_Haywood) May 29, 2014