tomahawk chop

File:Tomahawk CHOP! (8434044620).jpg]]

The tomahawk chop is a sports gesture popularly used by fans of the American Florida State Seminoles, Atlanta Braves baseball team, the Kansas City Chiefs American football team, and the English Exeter Chiefs rugby union team. The tomahawk chop involves moving the forearm forwards and backwards repeatedly with an open palm to simulate a tomahawk chopping, and is often accompanied by a distinctive cheer. The Atlanta Braves also developed a foam tomahawk to complement the fan actions.

The chop has been the source of controversy for decades and has been characterized as a racist caricature of Native American culture. The "chop" has also been performed at the high school level, where hundreds of teams continue to use Native American names and imagery, which has been a factor in the ongoing movement to change these practices.{{cite news |author=Engle |first=Jeremy |date=January 31, 2020 |title=Is It Offensive for Sports Teams and Their Fans to Use Native American Names, Imagery and Gestures? |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2020/01/31/learning/is-it-offensive-for-sports-teams-and-their-fans-to-use-native-american-names-imagery-and-gestures.html |newspaper=The New York Times}}{{cite web |author=Urban |first=Cori |date=March 25, 2019 |title=Board continues ban on controversial Turners Falls High School 'tomahawk chop' |url=https://www.masslive.com/news/2009/01/school_board_continues_ban_on.html |publisher=Mass Live}}{{cite web |author=Miller |first=Shelby |date=March 6, 2019 |title=Toledo school gets rid of controversial Indian mascot, Tomahawk Chop cheer |url=https://www.kiro7.com/news/local/toledo-school-gets-rid-of-controversial-indian-mascot-tomahawk-chop-cheer/928164757/ |publisher=KIRO 7 News}}

Florida State University

File:Florida State University Tomahawk Chop.jpg

It is not known when the tomahawk chop was invented. However, it is claimed by a former Florida State University president that it was invented by the Florida State University Marching Chiefs in the 1980s to complement their war chants.{{cite web |author=Anderson |first=L.V. |date=September 26, 2012 |title=Origins of the tomahawk chop: Scott Brown's staffers mocking Elizabeth Warren are continuing a long tradition |url=http://www.slate.com/articles/news_and_politics/explainer/2012/09/origins_of_the_tomahawk_chop_scott_brown_s_staffers_mocking_elizabeth_warren_are_continuing_a_long_tradition_.html |access-date=February 23, 2017 |work=Slate}} The action was adopted by fans of the FSU Seminoles over the following years.{{cite web |url=http://savannahnow.com/blog/noell-barnidge/2006-08-08/tomahawk-chop-started-1984-during-fsu-vs-auburn-football-game |title=The "Tomahawk Chop" started in 1984 during an FSU vs Auburn football game |work=Savannah Now |date=August 8, 2006 |access-date=February 23, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170224061720/http://savannahnow.com/blog/noell-barnidge/2006-08-08/tomahawk-chop-started-1984-during-fsu-vs-auburn-football-game |archive-date=February 24, 2017 |url-status=dead }} Despite this, the university's board does not endorse the action stating, "Some traditions we cannot control... It's a term we did not choose and officially do not use".

Kansas City Chiefs

File:Dante Hall with Chiefs drum 10-22-2023.webm

The Chiefs first heard it in November 1990, when the Northwest Missouri State band, directed by 1969 Florida State graduate Al Sergel, did the chant.

"It is a direct descendant of Florida State," said Chiefs promotions director Phil Thomas. "The band started doing the tomahawk chop, and the players and (coach) Marty Schottenheimer loved it."{{cite web |date=October 9, 1991 |title=The Tomahawk Chop-It is No Longer Just FSU's |url=http://articles.sun-sentinel.com/1991-10-09/sports/9102100231_1_war-chant-tight-ends-decisions |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130924064805/http://articles.sun-sentinel.com/1991-10-09/sports/9102100231_1_war-chant-tight-ends-decisions |archive-date=September 24, 2013 |access-date=February 23, 2017 |work=Sun Sentinel}}

The tomahawk chop has evolved into a pregame tradition at home games. Chiefs cheerleaders had long used their hands to bang on a large drum to the beat of the tomahawk chop, sometimes replaced by a former player or local celebrity using a large drum stick, all while the crowd performs the chop action. Since 2020, however, Kansas City Chiefs cheerleaders have been required to lead the chop with a closed fist rather than the traditional open palm.{{cite news|url=https://www.kctv5.com/sports/kansas_city_chiefs/chiefs-fans-react-to-changes-regarding-tomahawk-chop-headdresses/article_acf96b6e-f3b3-11ea-b749-97e4332eb9ff.html|title=Chiefs fans react to changes regarding tomahawk chop, headdresses|first=Leslie|last=Aguilar|publisher=KCTV5|date=September 10, 2020|access-date=November 15, 2020}}

Before the 2024 Super Bowl, the Kansas City Chiefs were criticized by Native American advocacy groups for their use of the chop. Rhonda LeValdo of the group Not in Our Honor described the tomahawk chop as synchronized racism.{{cite web|url=https://www.foxnews.com/sports/native-american-group-hopes-taylor-swifts-influence-could-end-tomahawk-chop-chiefs-games|first1=Ryan|last1=Gaydos|title=Native American group hopes Taylor Swift's influence could end tomahawk chop during Chiefs games|website=FOX News|date=September 25, 2023|access-date=February 9, 2024}} The Kansas City Indian Center, the Not in Our Coalition, End Racism KC, and the National Congress of American Indians have called on the team to change their name and end the tomahawk chop.{{cite news|url=https://www.kansascity.com/sports/nfl/kansas-city-chiefs/article271684047.html|first=Joseph|last=Hernandez|title=Why billboards urging Chiefs to 'change the name and stop the chop' return for playoffs|newspaper=Kansas City Star|date=January 27, 2024|access-date=February 9, 2024}}

Atlanta Braves

File:The Tomahawk Chop (5050920787).jpg

The tomahawk chop was adopted by fans of the Atlanta Braves in 1991.{{cite news| title=Tomahawks? Scalpers? Fans whoop it up |url=http://ajc.newspapers.com/clip/54133514/the-origin-of-the-tomahawk-chop/|first1=Jeff|last1=Shultz|newspaper=The Atlanta Journal-Constitution|date=July 17, 1991|access-date=June 25, 2020}} While some have credited Deion Sanders for bringing the chop to Atlanta, it was Braves organist Carolyn King who started playing the "tomahawk song."{{cite news| title=Organist Carolyn King encourages tomahawking 'Wave' into a ripple|url=https://ajc.newspapers.com/clip/54138287/tomahawk-chop/|first1=Terrence|last1=Moore|newspaper=The Atlanta Journal-Constitution|date=August 9, 1991|access-date=June 25, 2020}}{{cite web|last=Anderson |first=Dave |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1991/10/13/sports/sports-of-the-times-the-braves-tomahawk-phenomenon.html |title=The Braves' Tomahawk Phenomenon |work=New York Times |date=1991-10-13 |access-date=2017-02-23}} King started playing the "tomahawk song" before at bats for a few seasons, but it caught on with Braves fans when the team started winning in 1991.

The usage of foam tomahawks led to criticism from Native American groups that it was "demeaning" to them and called for them to be banned. In response, the Braves' public relations director said that it was "a proud expression of unification and family". King, who did not understand the political ramifications, approached one of the Native American chiefs who were protesting.{{cite news| title=On her final chops|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/54154288/carolyn-king-jones-retirement/|first1=Jack|last1=Wilkinson|newspaper=The Atlanta Journal-Constitution|date=October 8, 2004|access-date=June 25, 2020}} The chief told her that leaving her job as an organist would not change anything and that if she left "they'll find someone else to play."

In 2016, when the Atlanta Braves played their last game at Turner Field before leaving for SunTrust Park, the last official act done at Turner Field was known as "The Final Chop", where the Atlanta Braves warchant was played one last time with fans doing the tomahawk chop.{{cite web |author= |date=October 3, 2016 |title=Braves turn off the lights at Turner Field for final time |url=http://www.11alive.com/sports/braves-turn-off-the-lights-at-turner-field-for-final-time/328630496 |access-date=February 23, 2017 |work=11alive.com}}

=Foam tomahawk=

File:Foam tomahawk.jpg

A foam tomahawk is a foam rubber sports paraphernalia item (like a foam №. 1 finger) in the shape of a tomahawk, often used to accompany the tomahawk chop. They were first created in 1991 for the Atlanta Braves baseball team following their adoption of the tomahawk chop.

== Creation ==

Foam tomahawks were invented by foam salesman Paul Braddy. Upon hearing Skip Caray saying during a radio broadcast of an Atlanta Braves game that they needed tomahawks to accompany their newly acquired tomahawk chop celebration,{{cite web|url=https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/1991-11-10/200-000-foam-tomahawks-thats-not-chopped-liver |title=200,000 Foam Tomahawks: That's Not Chopped Liver |publisher=Bloomberg |date=October 11, 1991 |access-date=February 23, 2017}} he approached the Braves' concessions manager John Eifert with a suggestion of a foam rubber tomahawk. Eifert agreed providing they cost around $5, to which Braddy carved a tomahawk out of foam with an electric knife.{{cite web|url=https://www.baltimoresun.com/2008/11/12/carving-can-be-electric/ |title=Carving can be electric |work=Baltimore Sun |date=November 12, 2008 |access-date=February 23, 2017}}{{cite web|last=Anderson |first=Dave |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1991/10/13/sports/sports-of-the-times-the-braves-tomahawk-phenomenon.html |title=Sports of The Times - The Braves' Tomahawk Phenomenon |work=New York Times |date=October 13, 1991 |access-date=February 23, 2017}} Eifert bought 5,000 for sale for the Atlanta Braves. The foam tomahawks became very popular with Braves fans at the Atlanta–Fulton County Stadium,{{cite news|last=Hiatt |first=Gabe |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/express/wp/2017/02/03/a-super-bowl-win-could-help-shake-atlantas-reputation-as-a-bad-sports-town/ |title=A Super Bowl win could help Atlanta shake its reputation as a bad sports town |newspaper=The Washington Post |access-date=February 23, 2017}} so much so that Braddy was able to quit his $60,000-a-year job as a salesman in order to manufacture foam tomahawks full-time, making 8,000 a day.{{cite web |author=Davis |first=Craig |date=September 14, 1991 |title=Braves' Park Now A Tomahawk Shop |url=http://articles.sun-sentinel.com/1991-09-14/sports/9102050426_1_braves-fans-foam-tomahawk-paul-braddy |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170224132914/http://articles.sun-sentinel.com/1991-09-14/sports/9102050426_1_braves-fans-foam-tomahawk-paul-braddy |archive-date=February 24, 2017 |access-date=February 23, 2017 |work=Sun Sentinel}}

Braddy started selling the foam tomahawks himself. However, he was approached by Major League Baseball a month into the venture, who claimed that the foam tomahawk infringed upon the Atlanta Braves' copyrighted tomahawk logo. In response, Braddy made a deal with Major League Baseball Properties to license the MLB symbol and receive logistical support in exchange for 10% of the profits.

Exeter Chiefs

The English rugby team Exeter Chiefs adopted the name of "Chiefs" in 1999.{{cite web |author=Oldfield |first=Ed |date=August 3, 2016 |title=Is it time for Exeter Chiefs to bury the tomahawks? |url=http://www.exeterexpressandecho.co.uk/call-for-exeter-chiefs-rugy-club-to-drop-american-indian-theme/story-29572892-detail/story.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161010025014/http://www.exeterexpressandecho.co.uk/call-for-exeter-chiefs-rugy-club-to-drop-american-indian-theme/story-29572892-detail/story.html |archive-date=October 10, 2016 |access-date=February 23, 2017 |work=Exeter Express and Echo}} In 2010 they started using the Tomahawk chop along with the war chant, following their promotion to the Premiership Rugby.{{cite web |author=Hewett |first=Chris |date=September 19, 2010 |title=Exeter do have a funny side but nobody's laughing now |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/rugby/rugby-union/club-rugby/exeter-do-have-a-funny-side-but-nobodys-laughing-now-2083907.html |access-date=February 23, 2017 |work=The Independent}} They use it as their walk out music at Sandy Park{{cite web |author=This is Devon |url=http://www.westernmorningnews.co.uk/tomahawk-date-chop-chanting-chiefs/story-11718342-detail/story.html |title=The Tomahawk Chop chant has become the soundtrack to Exeter Chiefs's recent success |work=Western Morning News |date=March 4, 2011 |access-date=February 23, 2017 }}{{dead link|date=February 2018 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }} as well as a chant by their traveling fans during rugby matches elsewhere in the UK.{{cite web |author= |date=December 30, 2011 |title=Listen to the Exeter Chiefs' war chant |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/rugbyunion/club/8985441/Listen-to-the-Exeter-Chiefs-war-chant.html |access-date=February 23, 2017 |work=The Telegraph}}

In June 2020 a petition was launched by a group of Exeter Chiefs supporters calling for an end to the club's use of Native American imagery, including the Tomahawk chop.{{cite web|author=Andrew Aloia |url=https://www.itv.com/news/westcountry/2020-07-16/exeter-chiefs-under-pressure-to-change-racist-branding-after-petition-reaches-nearly-3000-signatures |title= Exeter Chiefs fans at odds over use of Native American branding|

work=BBC Sport |access-date=July 8, 2020}}{{cite web |author=Parsley |first=David |date=June 30, 2020 |title=Exeter Chiefs facing calls to drop 'racist' Native American branding and chant |url=https://inews.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/exeter-chiefs-rugby-native-american-branding-chant-fans-petition-459925 |access-date=June 30, 2020 |work=iNews}} In August 2020, it was reported that BT Sport would not be including the "tomahawk chop chant" in its simulated crowd noises, during behind-closed-doors games played by the Exeter Chiefs and broadcast on the BT Sport platform.{{cite web |author=Lloyd |first=Howard |date=August 7, 2020 |title=Exeter Chiefs' tomahawk chop set for axe by BT Sport |url=https://www.devonlive.com/news/devon-news/exeter-chiefs-tomahawk-chop-set-4404695 |access-date=August 8, 2020 |work=Devon Live}}

In 2022 Exeter Chiefs rebranded with a Celtic Iron Age Dumnonii Tribe club crest, dropping the controversial Native American crest. They also announced they would no longer play the Tomahawk Chop as their run out anthem from the 2022–23 season.{{cite web |author=Lloyd |first=Howard |date=August 11, 2022 |title=Confirmed: Run-on Tomahawk Chop chant gets the chop at Exeter |url=https://www.rugbypass.com/news/confirmed-run-on-tomahawk-chop-chant-gets-the-chop-at-exeter-premiership |access-date=August 24, 2022 |work=RugbyPass}} However, in January 2023 the chant was sung by supporters and, according to reports on social media, played over stadium speakers.{{cite news|url=https://www.tealegraph.co.uk/rugby-union/2023/01/22/exeter-chiefs-bring-back-controversial-tomahawk-chop-chant-five/|title=Exeter bring back 'tomahawk chop' chant five months after dropping it|newspaper=The Daily Telegraph|date=January 22, 2023|access-date=February 14, 2023|first1=Charles|last1=Richardson}}

Controversy

The chop has been characterized by some, including Native American tribes, as mocking Native American culture.{{Cite news |last=Fatsis |first=Stefan |date=2021-10-31 |title=The Surprising Origins of the "Tomahawk Chop" Music |language=en-US |work=Slate |url=https://slate.com/culture/2021/10/tomahawk-chop-music-pow-wow.html |access-date=2023-02-14 |issn=1091-2339}}{{Cite web |title=Tribes push back against MLB claims that Native Americans approve of tomahawk chop |url=https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/tribes-push-back-against-mlb-claims-native-americans-approve-tomahawk-n1282516 |access-date=2023-02-14 |website=NBC News |date=October 27, 2021 |language=en}}{{Cite web |last=Bates |first=Mike |date=2013-05-01 |title=Yeah, the "Tomahawk Chop" bugs me. Here's why. |url=https://www.sbnation.com/mlb/2013/5/1/4292152/yeah-the-tomahawk-chop-bugs-me-heres-why |access-date=2023-02-14 |website=SB Nation}}{{cite web|last=Bates |first=Mike |url=https://www.sbnation.com/mlb/2013/5/1/4292152/yeah-the-tomahawk-chop-bugs-me-heres-why |title=Yeah, the "Tomahawk Chop" bugs me. Here's why. |publisher=SBNation |date=May 1, 2013 |access-date=February 23, 2017}} It is criticized for being a reference to the former practice of scalping. Shortly after the Atlanta Braves adopted it, there were several calls from Native Americans for Braves fans to stop doing the tomahawk chop.{{cite web|last=Anderson |first=Dave |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1991/10/13/sports/sports-of-the-times-the-braves-tomahawk-phenomenon.html |title=Sports of The Times - The Braves' Tomahawk Phenomenon |work=New York Times |date=October 13, 1991 |access-date=March 26, 2017}} Before the 1991 World Series several Native Americans protested against the Braves using the tomahawk chop outside the Metrodome. During the protests Clyde Bellecourt, national director of the American Indian Movement, suggested that the team could be called "the Atlanta Negroes, Atlanta Klansmen or Atlanta Nazis".{{cite web|url=http://articles.sun-sentinel.com/1991-10-20/sports/9102120141_1_indians-atlanta-fans-protest |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170224132915/http://articles.sun-sentinel.com/1991-10-20/sports/9102120141_1_indians-atlanta-fans-protest |url-status=dead |archive-date=February 24, 2017 |title=Think It's Time To Put The Tomahawk Away? |work=Sun Sentinel |date=October 20, 1991 |access-date=February 23, 2017}} In 2009, the Gill-Montague Regional School Committee, a local school board in Massachusetts, banned the use of the gesture at school sporting events, calling it offensive and discriminatory.{{cite web|last=Davis |first=Miranda |url=http://www.recorder.com/Turners-Falls-mascot-Thanksgiving-football-game-6430493 |title=District to review Tomahawk Chop during Turners Thanksgiving game |work=Recorder.com |date=November 28, 2016 |access-date=February 23, 2017}} In 2016, Native American groups asked the Kansas City Chiefs to stop doing the tomahawk chop.{{cite web |author=Rothfield |first=Ariel |date=January 15, 2016 |title=Kansas indigenous group asking Kansas City Chiefs fans to stop the Tomahawk chop |url=http://www.kshb.com/sports/football/chiefs/kansas-indigenous-group-asking-kansas-city-chiefs-fans-to-stop-the-tomahawk-chop |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161228081915/http://www.kshb.com/sports/football/chiefs/kansas-indigenous-group-asking-kansas-city-chiefs-fans-to-stop-the-tomahawk-chop |archive-date=December 28, 2016 |access-date=February 23, 2017 |publisher=KSHB}} In the same year a similar request was made of Exeter Chiefs.{{cite web |author=Oldfield |first=Ed |date=August 8, 2016 |title=A message for Exeter Chiefs rugby club from a member of the Crow Creek Dakota Sioux tribe |url=http://www.exeterexpressandecho.co.uk/a-message-for-exeter-chiefs-from-the-cultural-ambassador-for-crow-creek-dakota-sioux-tribe/story-29597102-detail/story.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160809123137/http://www.exeterexpressandecho.co.uk/a-message-for-exeter-chiefs-from-the-cultural-ambassador-for-crow-creek-dakota-sioux-tribe/story-29597102-detail/story.html |archive-date=August 9, 2016 |access-date=February 23, 2017 |work=Exeter Express and Echo}} The editorial board of The Kansas City Star newspaper called for the cessation of the so-called "Arrowhead Chop" in late 2019, noting opposition from Native Americans and Tribes, and stating that the practice stereotypes and dehumanizes Native Americans.{{cite web|author=Editorial Board |url=https://www.kansascity.com/opinion/editorials/article236882498.html|title=Stop the Offensive 'Arrowhead Chop.' It's Time for a New Chiefs Tradition |work=Kansas City Star |date=November 1, 2019 |access-date=January 20, 2020}}

In politics, during the 2012 Senate election in Massachusetts, staffers of candidate Scott Brown were filmed doing the tomahawk chop at a campaign rally towards supporters of Elizabeth Warren, to mock Warren's claim of having Native American ancestry.{{cite web|url=http://people.sunyit.edu/~steve/pos262-f12/millspj/data/20120930194223/ |title=Scott Brown Staffers Do 'Tomahawk Chop' at Rally|publisher=ABC News|date=September 25, 2012 |access-date=March 23, 2017}}

The controversy has persisted since and became national news again during the 2019 National League Division Series. During the series, St. Louis Cardinals relief pitcher and Cherokee Nation member Ryan Helsley was asked about the chop and chant. Helsley said he found the fans' chanting and arm motions insulting and that the chop depicts natives “in this kind of caveman-type people way who aren’t intellectual.” Helsley's comments prompted the Braves to stop handing out foam tomahawks, playing the chop music, or showing the chop graphic when the series returned to Atlanta for Game 5. The Braves released a statement saying they would "continue to evaluate how we activate elements of our brand, as well as the overall in-game experience" and that they would continue a "dialogue with those in the Native American community after the postseason concludes."{{cite news|last=Edwards|first=Johnny|title=Chiefs of Georgia native tribes call tomahawk chop 'inappropriate'|url=https://www.ajc.com/news/chiefs-georgia-native-tribes-call-tomahawk-chop-inappropriate/7SHzrtpEHXuPdOP03xpz1N/ |newspaper=The Atlanta Journal-Constitution |date=October 13, 2019 |access-date=October 24, 2019}}

During the off-season, the Braves met with the National Congress of American Indians to discuss a path forward. In July 2020, the team faced mounting pressure to change after the Cleveland Indians and Washington Redskins announced they were discussing brand changes. The Braves released a statement announcing that discussions were still ongoing about the chop, but that the team name would not be changed.{{cite news |last=Rosenthal |first=Ken |author-link=Ken Rosenthal |date=July 7, 2020 |title=The Braves are discussing their use of the Tomahawk Chop, but not their name |url=https://theathletic.com/1915056/2020/07/07/the-braves-are-discussing-their-use-of-the-tomahawk-chop-but-not-their-name/ |access-date=July 8, 2020 |magazine=The Athletic}}

In popular culture

A 1991 episode of Saturday Night Live which was in a conflicting timeslot with the Atlanta Braves playing, had the host Christian Slater giving a monologue thanking everyone for selecting his show over the World Series. Slater then realizes he is speaking to no one, then walks around to find everyone, even the cast and crew of the show, watching the baseball game and doing the Tomahawk chop.{{YouTube|9JZb5EoqAW8|"Christian Slater Monologue: An Important Point - Saturday Night Live"}}
Mel Brooks' 1993 film Robin Hood: Men in Tights features a medieval crowd performing the chop in support of Robin Hood during an archery contest.{{YouTube|LtntSfG6uqE|"Robin Gets Another Shot!"}}