The Kansas City Chiefs banned fans from appropriating Native American culture by wearing headdresses and face paint at games
- The Kansas City Chiefs banned fans from wearing Native American headdresses, face paint, and clothing at its Arrowhead Stadium.
- The franchise said in a statement on Thursday that the rules were "effective immediately" and that it is also reviewing the use of the popular fan celebration, the Arrowhead Chop.
- "It is important that we continue the dialogue on these significant topics, and we look forward to continuing to work together in the future," said the statement.
The Kansas City Chiefs banned fans from appropriating Native American culture by wearing headdresses, face paint, and imitation Native American clothing at Arrowhead Stadium.
The NFL franchise unveiled the new rules in a statement on Thursday as a result of conversations with national organizations and leaders from within the Native American community.
"While we have discouraged fans from wearing headdresses for several years, effective immediately, fans will be prohibited from wearing headdresses into the stadium," said the statement.
"Face painting is still allowed for all fans, but any face paint that is styled in a way that references or appropriates American Indian cultures and traditions will be prohibited."
The Chiefs also said they are currently reviewing the use of the popular fan celebration, the Arrowhead Chop, as well as the stadium's Drum Deck, which is used, among other things, to sound players on and off the pitch.
"We are exploring all options for a modified engagement moment from the Drum Deck that maintains a unifying effect between our fans and our players but better represents the spiritual significance of the drum in American Indian cultures."
The team did not address its name and logo – which is the initials "KC" inside an arrowhead, nor the name of the Arrowhead Stadium, but did say it was "exploring the creation of a more formalized education program with input from both our local and national partners."
"We are grateful for the meaningful conversations we have had with all of these American Indian leaders. It is important that we continue the dialogue on these significant topics, and we look forward to continuing to work together in the future."
The Chiefs announcement comes hot on the heels of the NFL's Washington Football Team choosing to ditch its "Redskins" nickname and change its logo.
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