It’s safe to say that the debate over the Washington football team’s name is overshadowing the club’s play on the field this year — which hasn’t been great. But in the first half of the NFL season, the debate over the team’s racist name, the "Redskins," has taken center stage with both the Washington Post and the New York Times running lengthy pieces on the controversey recently. Now, one of pro football’s most recognizable announcers has joined in the fray: Bob Costas called the team’s name a slur on Sunday Night Football.

"It’s an insult, a slur, no matter how benign the present-day intent," Costas said of the team’s name. "It is fair to say that for a long time now, and certainly in 2013, no offense has been intended. But, if you take a step back, isn’t it clear to see how offense might legitimately be taken?"

You can read a transcript of Costas’ comments over at Yahoo! Sports.