Protest Before Super Bowl Targets Chiefs Nickname, Tomahawk Chant

TAMPA, FL — At least one group was protesting the Kansas City Chiefs nickname and "Tomahawk Chop" chant outside Raymond James Stadium as fans began to enter for Super Bowl LV between the AFC champion Chiefs and NFC champion Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

Chants and signs declaring "We are not your mascot" were heard as the first set of fans began walking in hours before kickoff.

Video of the Native American protest about two hours before kickoff time shows a small group gathered outside the stadium was shared on Twitter by Ashonti Ford, a reporter for Spectrum 9 News TV.

Heated exchanges between Indigenous Peoples and two Chiefs fans were caught on video minutes later.

The protest comes as the debate has been ongoing for decades on the morality behind sports teams using nicknames related to Native American symbolism and tribes. The Chiefs, specifically, have come under pressure to stop encouraging fans to use a hand motion mimicking the Native American tomahawk.

Before this season, the Washington Football Team dropped "Redskins" from its nickname. Reports have surfaced that in baseball, Cleveland will soon drop the "Indians" moniker.

The Chiefs made some changes before the season began, making a subtle alteration to the chop, with cheerleaders using a closed fist instead of an open palm to signal the beating of a drum.

But Gaylene Crouser, executive director of the Kansas City Indian Center, found the tweak to be laughable.

“They think that that somehow helps, and they are still playing that ridiculous Hollywood Indian song, which is such a stereotypical Indian song from like old Cowboy movies or something. I don’t know how they feel that that made any difference at all," she said. “And it's not like their fans are doing it any different either."

Chiefs President Mark Donovan said barring face paint and headdresses from its stadium was a “big step.”

“You are going to have opinions on all sides on what we should and shouldn’t do,” he added.

“We’re going to continue to have those discussions. We’re going to continue to make changes going forward, and hopefully changes that do what we hope, which is respect and honor Native American heritage while celebrating the fan experience.”

The Associated Press contributed reporting.