Current Events > The Braves encouraged fans to use 'tomahawk chop' during home opener

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https://www.ajc.com/sports/atlanta-braves/braves-use-tomahawk-chop-during-home-opener-against-phillies/Z2LLQXRGXNHWDDQQZ5Y4QAKPJE/

After not disclosing a position on the tomahawk chop for the past 18 months, the Braves encouraged fans to chant and chop during their home opener against the Phillies Friday night. The team used the digital tomahawk chop images during the game, along with the drum beat, encouraging fans to do the chop during several pivotal moments during the Braves fifth and sixth innings. The team posted back-to-back three-run innings that included homers from Ronald Acuna and Ehire Adrianza in an 8-1 win. The Braves have been under scrutiny for their use of the chop and have drawn criticism, including during the 2019 National League Division Series against the Cardinals. Team officials said they would evaluate the future the chop soon after. Although the Braves declined to publicly state a decision, including this week from inquiries from The Atlanta Journal-Constitution, it appears the chant thats been popular at home games for over two decades will continue. Ryan Helsley, a Cardinals relief pitcher and a member of the Cherokee Nation, called the Braves fans arm motion and chant disrespectful during the playoffs.

The issue was not at the forefront last season with no fans at Truist Park due to the coronavirus pandemic. However, fans returned in limited capacity Friday and the chop continued at the first opportunity. The tomahawk chop has been a part of Braves home games since 1991, spreading to the teams fans from Florida State when FSU alum Deion Sanders played for the Braves. It has drawn criticism through the decades, particularly during the division series against the Cardinals. During a joint interview with the AJC in July, Braves Chairman Terry McGuirk and Schiller said unequivocally that the Braves would keep their team name and icons, but left open the question of whether the organization would keep the tomahawk chop as part of its in-game fan experience.



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tomahawks are pretty dope

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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2WTCCzrPvSw

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The fact that it was a blatant punchline in Mel Brooks and Leslie Nielsen films only speaks to how fucking dumb and ignorant the Braves were then and even moreso now in today's society.

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More reason all star game should be stripped from them

"Guys! They're saying we're racist and pulling games out of our state what do we do?!"

"Might as well just be racist I guess"

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