FSU trustee apologizes to tribe

The prominent lawyer says he was "insensitive' in dismissing concerns of Oklahoma Seminoles.

	Mascot flap Which of these teams' mascots do you think is hostile and abusive to American Indians? FSU Seminoles Atlanta Braves Washington Redskins Cleveland Indians All of the above None of the above

TALLAHASSEE - Richard McFarlain's sharp tongue got the best of him at the worst possible moment.

As a result, the prominent lawyer and Florida State University trustee has apologized to the Seminole Nation of Oklahoma for remarks that offended a tribal leader.

"I think I just should have shut up," McFarlain said in a brief interview Monday.

As FSU officials met last week to counter NCAA criticism that its Seminole symbol is "hostile and abusive" to American Indians, McFarlain dismissed concerns by Seminoles in Oklahoma.

"They got run out of here by, who was it, Andrew Jackson or somebody like that? The veil of tears?" McFarlain said. "The real Seminoles stayed here."

The "Trail of Tears" is the term often used to refer to Cherokee Indians forced from their homes and driven west in the 1830s, the result of Jackson's Indian Removal Act.

The university, which defends the use of the Seminole name as respectful and dignified, issued a written apology from McFarlain.

"I made some comments after Wednesday's Board of Trustees meeting that I realize, in retrospect, were insensitive to many people and members of the Seminole Nation of Oklahoma in particular," McFarlain said. "I have great respect for the Seminole people of Florida and Oklahoma, and I did not mean to cause offense. I apologize for my comments and look forward to having as positive a relationship with the Seminole Nation of Oklahoma as we do with the Seminole Tribe of Florida."

A spokeswoman for the Seminole Nation of Oklahoma referred questions to Ken Chambers, the principal chief of the tribe who had called on McFarlain to apologize. Chambers could not be reached.

McFarlain, known for a quick wit and fondness for bow ties, has practiced law for four decades. He's a former general counsel to FSU, a former chairman of the state's Judicial Qualifications Commission, and has served on the ethics committee of the American Bar Association.

He made his remarks before an emergency FSU trustees meeting last Wednesday. As reporters interviewed FSU officials, McFarlain at first made references to the familiar Seminole spear.

"If it were up to me, I would tell them what to do with their spear," he said.

Asked if the NCAA should go further and ban Notre Dame's "Fighting Irish" nickname, he said: "Well, now, I'm Irish, and it doesn't bother me. That's what we do."

Then he said the NCAA should prepare for a long battle because university president T.K. Wetherell is "not a kiss-and-make-up type of guy. You want a fight, he'll give you one."

--Steve Bousquet can be reached at bousquet@sptimes.com

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