A Native American college student and the executive director of the White House Initiative of American Indian and Alaska Native Education allegedly got into a brawl at a pow-wow in Washington, D.C., over the student's Redskins jersey, News 9 reports. While the men's accounts of who started the incident differ entirely, both agree that punches were thrown.
Barrett Dahl, of Oklahoma, is a member of the Choctaw, Sac, and Fox Nations, and "says he wore the Redskins shirt because he was in Washington, D.C., and because he sees it as a sense of cultural pride," News 9 reports. Dahl, who is autistic, alleges that White House official William Mendoza approached him at the pow-wow and said, "You're a 'weetard' for not understanding 'Redskins' is offensive."
Mendoza, who was unable to comment to News 9 directly but had his side of the story relayed by his lawyer, agrees he approached Dahl because of the jersey, but he said it also had the words "INJUN PIMP" written on the back. Mendoza has worked extensively to remove the use of Native American images from being used as mascots.
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The two also agree that this is when they got into an argument: Mendoza says Dahl swore at him; Dahl says Mendoza spit on him. Then the physical fight erupted, although it is also unclear who started it. Both men were reportedly injured.
Dahl claims he underwent multiple surgeries after the brawl and wants to sue Mendoza. Mendoza is apparently also considering legal action: "Should Mr. Dahl continue to malign Mr. Mendoza he will have no other choice but to pursue all available legal remedies," Mendoza's lawyer told News 9.
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