The statue, which represented George Preston Marshall, stood at the RFK Stadium and was removed during Friday. The first black player in the NFL was contracted as early as 1946, but Marshall refused to let blacks play in the team, actively fought for integration, before federal authorities intervened and in 1962 Bobby Mitchell, later elected to the Hall of Fame, was able to join the team.

"This is a symbol of a man who did not believe that men and women were created equal and who worked against integration," representatives from Events DC said in a statement.

At the same time, votes are being raised to remove the Redskins from the team name. The Washington Post demands it, among other things, from its leadership side.

The mayor demands a change of name

Washington's mayor, Muriel Bowser, believes the name is a hindrance to the team being given permission to build a new stadium in the capital.

- It's time for the team to address the name that upsets so many people. The team deserves a name that reflects the sentiment we have built for this beloved team, ”says Bowser.

The team has been owned since 1999 by Daniel Snyder who over the years rejected the proposal to remove the Redskins.

Marshall was elected to the Hall of Fame in 1963 and died in 1969.