Redskins Trademark Cancelled – NFL Roundup

WASHINGTON (AP) — The U.S. Patent Office has ruled the Washington Redskins nickname is "disparaging of Native Americans" and that the team's federal trademarks for the name must be canceled.

The ruling comes after a campaign to change the name has gained momentum over the past year.

The decision by the Trademark Trial and Appeal Board is similar to one it issued in 1999. That ruling was overturned in 2003 in large part on a technicality because the courts decided that the plaintiffs were too old.

The new case was launched in 2006 by a younger group of Native Americans. A hearing was held in March 2013.

Just like last time, the Redskins can retain their trademark protection during a planned appeal.

In other NFL news:

— The Dallas Cowboys have signed defensive end DeMarcus Lawrence, their second-round draft pick and the last of the selections to agree to terms. Lawrence signed a four-year, $5.5 million deal with $3.9 million guaranteed and a $2.3 million signing bonus. — Jacksonville has signed rookie quarterback Blake Bortles to a four-year contract worth more than $20.6 million. Bortles was the third overall selection in the draft and the first quarterback taken.

— Tempers flared during the second day of the Seattle Seahawks' minicamp. Cornerback Richard Sherman and wide receiver Phil Bates were in the middle of a heated scuffle.

— Mike Goodson's short stint with the New York Jets is over. The troubled running back was released today after he failed to show up for the team's mandatory minicamp. Goodson, who signed with the Jets in March 2013, played in just two games for New York before tearing two knee ligaments last October. He faces weapons charges and up to 10 years in prison after being indicted in November.

— Standout tight end Dallas Clark has retired from the NFL after 11 seasons. He goes out as a member of the Indianapolis Colts, the team that drafted him in the first round in 2003. He spent his first nine seasons with the team. Clark is Indy's all-time leader in tight end touchdown catches and receptions. He set single season records with the Colts with 100 receptions and 1,106 yards in the 2009 season. In 2007, he had 11 TD catches.