By Canadian Press

Braves don’t give out tomahawks after Helsley’s complaint

Oct 9, 2019 | 2:47 PM

ATLANTA — The Atlanta Braves have not distributed their traditional red foam tomahawks to fans before Game 5 of their NL Division Series against the St. Louis Cardinals.

The foam cutouts are used when Braves fans perform their Tomahawk Chop chant in games.

The Braves say in a statement the change is “out of respect for the concerns” expressed by Cardinals pitcher Ryan Helsley, a member of the Cherokee Nation who says he finds the chant insulting.

Fans still used the chant with the Cardinals’ first batter, Dexter Fowler, at the plate.

The Braves also say they won’t play the music that accompanies the chant when Helsey is in the game.

New Awards Program

Prince George City Council to discuss Citizen Recognition Medal Program Monday

11h ago

Missing Trio

Fort St. John RCMP looking for missing father and two children

16h ago

Caledonia Nordic Ski Club

Caledonia Nordic Ski Club prepare for another big national biathlon competition

Nov 16, 2024

Helsley, a native of Tahlequah, Oklahoma, speaks the Cherokee language and is one of only a few Native Americans in the majors.

The reliever said last week he was shocked to hear the chant, a part of the Braves’ tradition since it was borrowed from Florida State in the early 1990s.

___

More AP MLB: https://apnews.com/MLB and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

Charles Odum, The Associated Press