They are trapped between a clover and a hard place.
Notre Dame’s fortunes were exhausted on Wednesday when its Irish elf Fighting was killed for being the fourth mascot of the country’s most offensive college football team, according to a new poll.
The little green boy took heat to appropriate the culture, with critics calling him a derogatory symbol of Irish Catholics, after ranking only slightly better than San Diego State’s Aztec warrior, Osceola and Renegade. of the state of Florida and Vili the Warrior of the University of Hawaii. sportswear company survey Quality Logo Products.
But a representative of the Indiana-based university was quick to defend the deceived and hidden with gold, along with the term “The Fighting Irish,” which began as a derogatory term for Irish Catholic students during the early 1900s.
“It is worth noting … that there is no comparison between the nickname and the mascot of Notre Dame and the names of Indians and warriors [and[ mascots used by other institutions such as the NFL team formerly known as the Redskins,” the school said in a statement to in the Indianapolis Star.
“None of these institutions were founded or named by Native Americans who sought to highlight their heritage by using names and symbols associated with their people,” it read.
But Notre Dame’s mascot was adopted by a former school president — who himself was Irish, the school said.
“Our symbols stand as celebratory representations of a genuine Irish heritage at Notre Dame, a heritage that we regard with respect, loyalty and affection.”
The term “The Fighting Irish” began as a slur created by opposing schools and became the team’s official nickname in 1927 under the leadership of university president Father Matthew Walsh, who was of Irish descent, according to the school.
The leprechaun mascot — which depicts a short man, fists up and wearing a shamrock hat — originated in England as a disparaging symbol for Irish people, according to university.