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. 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." Balenciaga Pas Cher Chine . Team officials did not indicate the extent of the injury Saturday, simply listing Rose with "left knee soreness." Rose has played two preseason games without any sign of problems. The first NBA game in South America now will be missing its biggest star. Air Max Pas Cher Chine . -- Jake Paterson made 39 saves as the Saginaw Spirit halted the Guelph Storms seven-game win streak with a 6-3 victory on Sunday in Ontario Hockey League action. http://www.airmaxpaschervente.fr/destock...350-france.html. -- D. J. Williams finally has his packing strategy down. Air Max France Pas Cher . For the Blue Jays the time was Wednesday and the ace was R.A. Dickey. He stepped up. "I feel some responsibility as a stopper from time to time," said Dickey. Fausse Air Max 95 Pas Cher .ca. Mr. Fraser, It looks like Martin Brodeur is coming back to play for the Blues. I was wondering if you have any great stories or fond memories of your time on the ice with Brodeur - in the NHL, or maybe even the Olympics.Manchester United are more likely to be relegated from the Premier League than win it, Sky Sports new Premier Predictor has revealed. Jose Mourinhos team have just a one per cent chance of winning the Premier League this season, according to the prediction tool, while they have a two per cent chance of being relegated.According to the Premier Predictor, United have just a 14 per cent probability of reaching the top four - putting them behind Everton in the predicted standings. United are currently eighth in the table, following a frustrating start to the 2016/17 season. Liverpool vs Watford November 6, 2016, 1:30pm Live on Get Sky Sports Get a Sky Sports pass Mourinhos side have the fourth-lowest shot conversion rate in the league, while, at the other end of the pitch, they have allowed more shots at their goal than any of the current top five.The Premier Predictor uses an algorithm to predict results from a range of factors, including previous success, recent form, home advantage, winning margin and schedule. Watch a preview of Saturdays Premier League fixtures including Manchester City v Middlesbrough and Chelsea v Everton Its based on a system originally used to rank chess players, but Sky Sports have tweaked it for use in football. Football Score Centre app Sky Sports customers can watch Premier League goals and highlights every weekend at no extra cost. Teams compete for ranking points - the number of points they win or lose depends on the margin of victory or defeat in each match, the quality of their opposition, and whether they are playing at home or away. Premier Predictor has Mesut Ozils Arsenal as favourites for the Premier League Predictions for matches - and eventual league positions - are then made based on analysis of the relationship between the Premier Predictor rankings and match results in Premier League matches dating back to 1995.Arsenal are currently favourites to win the Premier League, according to the Premier Predictor, ahead of Manchester City. Leicester vs W Brom November 6, 2016, 4:15pm Live on Get Sky Sports Get a Sky Sports pass With just three points separating first from fifth in the current Premier League table, its also tight at the top of the Predictor standings.But the Gunners stronger form last season gives them an edge in the algorithm - which takes into account Spurs struggle to cope with the pressure of last seasons title race, Citys limp to the end of Manuel Pellegrinis reign, and Liverpool finishing outside the European places in eighth in 2015/16. Watch NOW TV Watch Sky Sports for just ￡6.99. No contract. At the other end of thhe spectrum, the Predictor has picked out three fairly clear favourites for relegation in Sunderland, Hull and Swansea.dddddddddddd.Check out the Premier Predictor table below... Premier Predictor Premier League table 2016/17 Team Title chances Top 4 chances Relegation chances Simulated points total PP ranking points PP ranking change this week Arsenal 32% 80% This weekends predictions Liverpool have a 69 per cent chance of beating Watford, according to the Predictor The Premier Predictor also predicts scores on a game-by-game basis, and the predictions for this weekends Premier League games are below, with Arsenal tipped to win the north London derby, and United, Leicester, Liverpool and Chelsea also expected to pick up victories... Premier Predictor weekend predictions Home team win Draw Away team win Bournemouth - 53% Draw - 29% Sunderland - 19% Burnley - 44% Draw - 30% Crystal Palace - 26% Man City - 78% Draw - 17% Boro - 5% West Ham - 47% Draw - 30% Stoke - 23% Chelsea - 60% Draw - 26% Everton - 14% Arsenal - 53% Draw - 28% Tottenham - 18% Hull City - 26% Draw - 27% Southampton - 47% Liverpool - 69% Draw - 22% Watford - 9% Swansea - 32% Draw - 29% Man Utd - 39% Leicester - 62% Draw - 25% West Brom - 13% Also See: Transfer Centre Latest transfer news Transfer betting Paper Talk ' ' '