WASHINGTON -- Washington Redskins president Bruce Allen said in a letter to Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid on Saturday that t

WASHINGTON -- Washington Redskins president Bruce Allen said in a letter to Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid on Saturday that the pro football teams nickname is "respectful" toward Native Americans. Jerry Rice Jersey . On Thursday, half the U.S. Senate urged National Football League Commissioner Roger Goodell to change the Washington clubs name, saying it is a racist slur and it is time to replace it. The franchise responded by releasing Allens letter. "Our use of Redskins as the name of our football team for more than 80 years has always been respectful of and shown reverence toward the proud legacy and traditions of Native Americans," he wrote. The letter references research that "the term Redskins originated as a Native American expression of solidarity." It notes that the teams logo was designed by Native American leaders and cites surveys that Native Americans and Americans as a whole support the name. Redskins owner Daniel Snyder has refused to change the name, citing tradition, but there has been growing pressure including statements in recent months from President Barack Obama, lawmakers of both parties and civil rights groups. Last month, Reid took to the Senate floor to say Snyder should "do what is morally right" and change the name. In a letter Thursday, 49 senators mentioned the National Basketball Associations quick action recently to ban Los Angeles Clippers owner Donald Sterling for life after he was heard on an audio recording making offensive comments about blacks. They said Goodell should formally push to rename the Redskins. "We urge you and the National Football League to send the same clear message as the NBA did: that racism and bigotry have no place in professional sports," read the letter, which did not use the word "Redskins." Sen. Bill Nelson of Florida wrote his own letter saying he doesnt believe that retaining the Redskin name "is appropriate in this day and age." In a written response Thursday, NFL spokesman Brian McCarthy said "the intent of the teams name has always been to present a strong, positive and respectful image." Reid and Sen. Maria Cantwell of Washington state led the letter-writing effort. All senators on the letter are Democrats. Cantwell spokesman Jared Leopold said Republicans were not asked to participate. The senators noted that tribal organizations representing more than two million Native Americans across the U.S. have said they want the Redskins name dropped. Despite federal laws protecting their identity, "Every Sunday during football season, the Washington, D.C., football team mocks their culture," they wrote. "The NFL can no longer ignore this and perpetuate the use of this name as anything but what it is: a racial slur." Jim Otto Womens Jersey . But unfortunately for the Niagara Falls, Ont., native, a pulled muscle wouldnt allow him to go past the second set. Japan sealed its victory over Canada in the first-round Davis Cup tie after Nishikori downed an ailing Dancevic 6-2, 1-0. Tim Brown Jersey . -- A lawyer for the fiancee of former New England Patriots player Aaron Hernandez asked a judge Friday to throw out perjury charges, saying Shayanna Jenkins did not wilfully lie as she was bombarded with 1,630 questions over two days before a grand jury. http://www.shoptheraidersonline.com/Elite-Fred-Biletnikoff-Raiders-Jersey/ .2 million deal for the upcoming season with right-hander Garrett Richards.The person spoke on condition of anonymity Saturday because the announcement hadnt been made.NEW YORK -- The New York Yankees are outpitching some of baseballs best pitchers. Facing the third successive Cy Young recipient in the last three games, the Yankees rode a superior performance from starter Chris Capuano and Adam Warren to a 5-1 victory over Justin Verlander and the Detroit Tigers on Wednesday night, their second win in the series. Capuano allowed five hits and an unearned run with eight strikeouts in 6 2-3 innings, leaving with the game tied at 1. Warren (2-5) worked out of an eighth-inning jam created by a walk and two errors after the Yankees had taken a 2-1 lead on Brian McCanns homer in the seventh. "Ive seen him do this before and that was one of the reasons we went and got him," manager Joe Girardi said of Capuano, who has gone at least six innings in all three of his starts since being acquired from the Rockies on July 24th. "If Im not mistaken, he did it to us last year here. He does know how to pitch, and he gave us a great performance tonight." Chase Headley also homered for the Yankees, whose streak of 16 consecutive games decided by two-or-fewer runs ended when they broke out for three runs in the eighth against reliever Blaine Hardy. Mark Teixeira injured his hand when he was spiked by catcher Bryan Holaday while scoring the Yankees final run on a slide at home plate. Teixeira, called out by home plate umpire Tom Woodring but ruled safe on a review, sustained a deep cut near his left pinky and will not play in Thursdays matinee finale of the four-game set. "It (the cut) was pretty bad," said Teixeira, who was replaced at first base in the ninth by Headley. "I took one look and looked away. Steve (trainer Steve Donohue) rushed me up here, we got it cleaned up and got the stitches in there. "You play hard, thats what happens. Im just happy about the win. It was a great team win." As they did in Tuesdays 4-3 victory, the Tigers scored in the first inning via the sacrifice fly, with Rajai Davis reaching on Derek Jeters error. That was all Detroit could generate against Capuano, Warren and David Huff, who pitched a perfect ninth. "He was changing speeds, heights, location," Tigers third baseman Nick Castellanos said about Capuano. "He wasnt really giving anybody the same looks two times in a row. If he thought you were leaning, kind of diving for that changeup, youd gett a heater in. Foster Moreau Jersey. Both McCann and Capuano had a great night tonight." Verlander (10-10) retired the first 11 Yankees he faced before surrendering a two-out single to centre by Jacoby Ellsbury in the fourth. Headley deposited a 2-2 fastball into the right-field stands with out in the fifth for his ninth homer and second as a Yankee to tie it at 1, and it remained deadlocked until McCann belted his 13th homer on a 1-2 pitch with one out in the seventh. "Im not going to dwell on two homers," said Verlander, who allowed five hits and one walk with five strikeouts in seven innings. "Headleys was gone anywhere. McCanns probably not in a lot of places, but, overall it was a good game." The Yankees committed four errors -- two by Stephen Drew in just his sixth game at second base -- but both Capuano and Warren picked up their fielders with key outs. Jeter singled in the sixth inning and needs one hit to tie Honus Wagner (3,430) for sixth place on the career all-time list. TRAINERS ROOM Yankees: Michael Pineda, who has missed exactly half the season with a right shoulder muscle injury, will make his second rehab appearance Friday at Scranton. Girardi indicated Pinedas return might be accelerated. "Hes probably available to go somewhere between 75 to 80 (pitches). Then well see where were at," Girardi said. Tigers: Right fielder Torii Hunter was listed as day-to-day after being hit on the left hand by Dellin Betanaces pitch in the ninth inning Tuesday night. X-rays taken after the game were negative. Hunter said he had a ruptured blood vessel and had a difficult time sleeping last night, but was relieved nothing was broken. "Id rather deal day-to-day than have a couple weeks off," he said before Wednesdays game. "It (the pitch) just backed up. I guess it just slipped out of his hand or something like that and stayed in on me. Thats baseball. You cant do anything about that. None of that was intentional." ON DECK The Yankees go with rookie right-hander Shane Greene (2-1, 3.68 ERA) in the finale of the four-game set Thursday. Detroit sends right-hander Rick Porcello (13-5, 3.18 ERA to the mound. FIVE OCLOCK SHADOW: C.C. Sabathia, sporting a full beard and walking with the aid of a metal crutch, joined his teammates for the official team photo before Wednesdays game. The Yankees have a long-standing policy against beards. ' ' '