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WASHINGTON -- Washington Redskins president Bruce Allen said in a letter to Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid on Saturday that the pro football teams nickname is "respectful" toward Native Americans. On Thursday, half the U.S. Senate urged National Football League Commissioner Roger Goodell to change the Washington clubs name, saying it is a racist slur and it is time to replace it. The franchise responded by releasing Allens letter. "Our use of Redskins as the name of our football team for more than 80 years has always been respectful of and shown reverence toward the proud legacy and traditions of Native Americans," he wrote. The letter references research that "the term Redskins originated as a Native American expression of solidarity." It notes that the teams logo was designed by Native American leaders and cites surveys that Native Americans and Americans as a whole support the name. Redskins owner Daniel Snyder has refused to change the name, citing tradition, but there has been growing pressure including statements in recent months from President Barack Obama, lawmakers of both parties and civil rights groups. Last month, Reid took to the Senate floor to say Snyder should "do what is morally right" and change the name. In a letter Thursday, 49 senators mentioned the National Basketball Associations quick action recently to ban Los Angeles Clippers owner Donald Sterling for life after he was heard on an audio recording making offensive comments about blacks. They said Goodell should formally push to rename the Redskins. "We urge you and the National Football League to send the same clear message as the NBA did: that racism and bigotry have no place in professional sports," read the letter, which did not use the word "Redskins." Sen. Bill Nelson of Florida wrote his own letter saying he doesnt believe that retaining the Redskin name "is appropriate in this day and age." In a written response Thursday, NFL spokesman Brian McCarthy said "the intent of the teams name has always been to present a strong, positive and respectful image." Reid and Sen. Maria Cantwell of Washington state led the letter-writing effort. All senators on the letter are Democrats. Cantwell spokesman Jared Leopold said Republicans were not asked to participate. The senators noted that tribal organizations representing more than two million Native Americans across the U.S. have said they want the Redskins name dropped. Despite federal laws protecting their identity, "Every Sunday during football season, the Washington, D.C., football team mocks their culture," they wrote. "The NFL can no longer ignore this and perpetuate the use of this name as anything but what it is: a racial slur." Alvaro Odriozola Spain Jersey . With the union re-formed, negotiations with owners will resume Friday on the remaining issues that would be in the collective bargaining agreement, according to a person familiar with the plans. Nacho Fernandez Spain Jersey .ca presents its latest weekly power rankings for the 2013-14 Barclays Premier League season. http://www.spainsoccerpro.com/Jordi-Alba-Spain-Jersey/ . On the day the club activated Casey Janssen from the 15-day disabled list, his return from a strained oblique that cost him the first six weeks of the regular season, it announced Sergio Santos would be placed on the disabled list on Monday with discomfort in his right forearm. Nacho Monreal Spain Jersey . Durant finished with 24 points and 13 rebounds, Jackson matched his career high with 23 points on 10-of-14 shooting and Lamb scored 12 points on 5-of-7 shooting, lifting the Thunder to a 94-88 win over San Antonio and snapping the Spurs 11-game winning streak. Kepa Arrizabalaga Jersey . The rest of the team was already on the field stretching before batting practice while Puig was getting dressed in the clubhouse. He had been slated to start in right field for the afternoon game against the San Francisco Giants, who beat the Dodgers 8-4. PHILADELPHIA -- A.J. Burnetts injury helped him improve his pitching. Burnett tossed three-hit ball over seven innings, Ben Revere hit an RBI single with two outs in the eighth and the Philadelphia Phillies beat the Atlanta Braves 1-0 Thursday afternoon. In his first start since learning hell need surgery for an inguinal hernia, Burnett struck out five to outpitch Alex Wood (2-2). Atlantas Julio Teheran beat Cliff Lee 1-0 less than 24 hours earlier. "Its going to be a blessing in disguise," Burnett said of the injury. "It helped me stay within myself, be simple, nice and easy." Burnett received a cortisone injection on Monday and the right-hander plans to wait until the off-season to have an operation. He has to wait another five days to try for his first win with the Phillies. "He had better command," Phillies manager Ryne Sandberg said. "He had a shorter stride and looked more effortless. (The injury) might be a good thing." Dominic Brown led off the bottom of the eighth with a single. He advanced to second on a sacrifice and scored on Reveres hit up the middle. Brown then gave Revere a shaving cream pie in the face during a postgame interview. "I found a good pitch to hit and found a hole," said Revere, who had his third three-hit game of the season. Antonio Bastardo (2-1) worked the eighth and Jonathan Papelbon finished off the four-hitter with a perfect ninth for his fourth save in five tries. Sandberg successfully challenged a call in the fifth inning when Andrelton Simmons was ruled out trying to steal second base. Simmons overslid the bag on a headfirst dive, and reached back to touch the base as shortstop Jimmy Rollins lunged to tag him. The replay showed Rollins tagged Simmons before he got his hand in safely. After Sandberg walked onto the fieeld, he turned to bench coach Larry Bowa for direction.dddddddddddd But Bowa just threw his hands up and shrugged after talking to the teams video coach on the phone. "Thats not what I was looking for," Sandberg said with a smile. "I looked at him again and he wouldnt look at me. He wasnt much help. Fifth inning. Runner on second. Lets take a shot." Wood became the 10th Braves starter in the first 15 games this year to allow one run or none. The lefty gave up eight hits and fanned seven for his first complete game in 15 career starts. "You cant ask for anything more out of him," Braves manager Fredi Gonzalez said. The Braves wasted an opportunity after Gerald Laird led off the eighth with a double to left-centre off Bastardo. Wood struck out trying to sacrifice, Jason Heyward lined out to right and B.J. Upton popped out. "I think I lost the game for us in the eighth inning by not getting the bunt down," Wood said. The NL East-leading Braves took two of three in a rain-shortened series. Tuesday nights game was rained out and will be made up in late June. NOTES: Phillies 1B Ryan Howard wasnt in the starting lineup for the first time this season. John Mayberry Jr. took his spot. Howard is 3 for 17 with eight strikeouts vs. lefties this season. Howard walked as a pinch-hitter in the eighth. ... Braves starters have a 1.58 ERA. ... In Wednesdays 1-0 loss to the Braves, Lee became the first pitcher to lose two games in which he allowed one run or less and struck out 13 or more. The other time also was against Atlanta. ... The Phillies start a 10-game road trip in Colorado on Friday night. Jonathan Pettibone (0-0, 1.80 ERA) gets the start. ... The Braves open a three-game series at the New York Mets on Friday night. Aaron Harang (2-1, 0.96) takes the mound for Atlanta. 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