Notre-Dame pixie considered offensive, poll finds

They’re stuck between a clover and some hard place.

Notre Dame’s luck ran out on Wednesday when her Fighting Irish pixie was criticized for being the nation’s fourth most offensive college football team mascot, according to a new poll.

The little green guy took to the heat for cultural appropriation – with critics calling him a derogatory symbol of Irish Catholics – after ranking barely better than San Diego State Aztec Warrior Osceola and Renegade from the State of Florida and Vili the Warrior from the University of Hawaii, according to a survey by the sportswear company Quality Logo Products.

But a representative from the Indiana-based university was quick to defend the fiery trickster who hides a pot of gold, as well as the term “The Fighting Irish” – which began as a derogatory term for students. Irish Catholics in the early 1900s.

“It should be noted … that there is no comparison between the nickname and mascot of Notre Dame and the Indian and warrior names[and[themascotsusedbyotherinstitutionssuchastheNFLteamformerlyknownunderthenameofRedskins”reportedbytheschoolinareleasetotheStarKinskinskiyoftheIndianInstituteofNewYorkstatedbyformerand”TheschoolsaidinastatementtointheIndianapolisStar[et[lesmascottesutiliséespard’autresinstitutionstellesquel’équipedelaNFLanciennementconnuesouslenomdeRedskins”adéclarél’écoledansuncommuniquéàdansl’étoiled’Indianapolis[and[mascotsusedbyotherinstitutionssuchastheNFLteamformerlyknownastheRedskins”theschoolsaidinastatementtointheIndianapolisStar

“None of these institutions were founded or named by Native Americans who sought to showcase their heritage by using names and symbols associated with their people,” one reads.

But the Notre Dame mascot was adopted by a former school president – who was himself Irish, the school said.

“Our symbols are festive representations of a true Irish heritage at Notre Dame, a heritage which we regard with respect, loyalty and affection.”

The term “The Fighting Irish” began as an insult created by opposing schools and became the official nickname for the team in 1927 under the leadership of the president of the university, Father Matthew Walsh, who was of Irish descent. , depending on the school.

The pixie mascot – which depicts a short man with raised fists and wearing a shamrock hat – originated in England as a derogatory symbol for the Irish, according to the university.