A member of the US House of Representatives has called for the NFL's Washington Redskins to change their name.

American Samoa delegate Eni FH Faleomavaega brought the matter to the floor in the House yesterday.

He said: "Mr. Speaker, it's time the National Football League and the NFL commissioner, Roger Goodell, face the reality that the continued use of the word 'Redskin' is unacceptable. It is a racist, derogatory term, and patently offensive to Native Americans.

"The Native American community has spent millions of dollars over the past two decades trying earnestly to fight the racism that is perpetuated by this slur.

"It is quite obvious that once the American public understands why 'Redskins' is so offensive, it will know that the word should never be used again."

Ten House of Representatives members previously contacted the commissioner calling for the NFC East champions to change their name.