LOCAL GROUP WANTS OILERS NAME TO SOUND REBELLIOUS

          The Sons of the Confederate Veterans (SOCV) claim they
     have 350,000 signed ballots in favor of changing the name of
     the NFL Oilers to the Rebels, according to Jay Hamburg of
     the Nashville TENNESSEAN.  The team has "not asked" for
     petitions from the public, but the SOCV said they will have
     an airplane "tow the Confederate battle flag over Sunday's
     Oilers home game against Jacksonville to promote their
     cause."  Some taking "offense" at the suggestion "were
     several African-American Oilers players."  Oilers T Brad
     Hopkins called the name Rebels "preposterous" and "an
     insult" (Jay Hamburg, Nashville TENNESSEAN, 9/24).