Santana Moss at a ‘loss for words’ after hearing ‘Redskins’ would be retired

Just like the rest of us, Santana Moss opened his phone to a notification about a statement the Washington football team made in regards to its controversial team name. He read the statement, learned that "Redskins" will no longer be the team's name or logo, and reacted accordingly.

As he explained to Sky Sports Monday, he didn't really know how to feel.

"Honestly I was kind of at a loss for words because I remember when I was first aware about that name being a derogatory name to the Native American community, so I had to educate myself a little more on why," Moss said. "I really didn't have a feeling to know what to expect in the future with the name.

"Now after those years, and that was as early as 2005 when I first became a Redskin and now being removed from those playing years and being in the media world and still being able to walk in that stadium and see that logo and hear the name but still hear those whispers like, 'It needs to no longer exist,'" he said. "To see that day has finally come, I don't know what I can say I feel right now."

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Moss played 14 seasons in the NFL, 10 of which were with Washington, where he was selected to a Pro Bowl in 2005 and caught 581 passes for 7,867 yards and 47 touchdowns. His career will by no means be erased from the franchise's record books and his connection with the fans likely won't be impacted at all.

He'll simply have a different descriptor attached to his time with the franchise than, say Chase Young will.

"I can say it's mixed feelings, Moss said. "One, it's sad because when you've been a part of something, to see that the history you leave behind, you know you can no longer use that name, and I'm pretty sure the players and the people who made the history there will always remember it as what they know it as. But to see everyone else not represent that organization as that name, it will be sad.

"But I can also that as an African American to see that Native Americans can get what was due to them and finally see some change, it only leads you to believe that we're headed in the right direction as a country," he said.

The franchise has yet to pick a new name or give a timetable for when that announcement is coming. Challenges remain, and will seemingly increase in volume if their goal is to get everything changed before the 2020 season begins.

Everything revolving around the team's next name is up in the air, but the memories and the bond the team has with its players, coaches and fans, regardless of what it was called, is solidified.

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