| | Associated Press
GREEN BAY, Wis. -- An animal rights group wants a new name
for the Green Bay Packers. Team president Bob Harlan says no way.
People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals said Monday in a
letter to Harlan that the name promotes violence and bloodshed
because it refers to meat packers, or those who work in
slaughterhouses.
The letter from PETA vegetarian campaign coordinator Bruce
Friedrich suggests making the team the Green Bay "Pickers,"
referring to picking fruits, vegetables and other crops, or
possibly the Green Bay "Six-Packers," referring to the state's
brewing history.
"We've been the Packers since 1919, and this is the first time
anyone has suggested that we change our name," Harlan said in
reply. "We like our name, our tradition.
"We want to save the name like we want to save the name of
Lambeau Field."
The possible sale of naming rights -- or the right of a company
to pay to have its name used on the stadium -- has been among issues
discussed as part of the team's planned $295 million renovation and
expansion of Lambeau Field.
A referendum is scheduled in September for Brown County voters
to decide if they want to raise the county sales tax to help pay
for the stadium project.
Friedrich, contacted Monday, said the Packers should consider
dumping the name despite the long tradition, because of its
reference to the plants where animals are killed.
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