NFL: Kansas City Chiefs keep name but ban Native American head dresses, face paint

The Super Bowl champs have announced a new list of restrictions on how their fans can dress at games but won’t be changing their name.

Kansas City Chiefs will no longer be allowed to wear Native American head dresses or face paint styled in a way that references American Indian culture.

The Super Bowl champs had been discouraging fans dressing up for games in this manner for several years but will outlaw it next season after further consultation with American Indian organisations.

The Chiefs are also reviewing the Arrowhead Chop — a Tomahawk-style hand movement their fans perform before each home game while a past player or special guest bangs a drum.

A female Kansas City Chiefs fan wears a head dress. (Photo by Scott Winters/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

But they will not be following the lead of the Washington Redskins and changing their nickname because — like hockey team the Chicago Blackhawks — it’s not considered hate speech like Redskins is.

“In 2014, we began a dialogue with a group of local leaders from diverse American Indian backgrounds and experiences,’’ the Chiefs said in a statement. “As an organisation, our goal was to gain a better understanding of the issues facing American Indian communities in our region and explore opportunities to both raise awareness of American Indian cultures and celebrate the rich traditions of tribes with a historic connection to the Kansas City area.

“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.’’

A fan in a head dress and facepaint cheers the Chiefs. (Photo by Nick Tre. Smith/Icon Sportswire)

The Chiefs plan on having fans at their home games this season but will cap attendances at 22 per cent of Arrowhead Stadium’s capacity, meaning about 16,000 can fill the seats.