Cleveland Indians Fan Who Wore Red Face in Viral Picture Two Years Ago Returned to Apologize

Two years ago, a photo went viral showing a Cleveland Indians fan in red face and headdress staring directly at a Native American protester at the Cleveland home opener. Keith Olbermann took the occasion to call for the organization to change their name and logo.

Today, Cleve Scene reports that the two people in that photo, Pedro Rodriguez and Robert Roche, met again yesterday at what was supposed to be the home opener (it was postponed due to weather). This time, Rodriguez did not have the face paint and head gear (he did have the same shirt), and he apologized.

"He expressed remorse to the group for his cultural appropriation, and apologized directly to Robert Roche, (pictured above), the local leader of the American Indian Education Center and Rodriguez’s sparring partner back in 2014. “He still likes the name,” said Chrissy Stonebraker-Martinez. She’s from the InterReligious Task Force on Central America and attended Monday’s protest in solidarity. “But he says he will never dress that way again. It was really moving and beautiful.” "

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