The Unyielding Legacy Of The Atlanta Braves Tomahawk Foam: History, Controversy, And Its 2025 Status

The Atlanta Braves foam tomahawk remains one of the most recognizable, and arguably most controversial, pieces of Major League Baseball fan merchandise in the world today. This simple, foam-rubber cutout is not just a souvenir; it is the physical manifestation of the "Tomahawk Chop" tradition, a practice that has fueled a national debate over cultural appropriation for decades. As of December 2025, the item is still officially sold, making its presence a continued focal point in the discussion about Indigenous imagery in professional sports. The continued sale and use of the foam tomahawk underscore a complex tension between fan tradition and social responsibility, forcing the Atlanta Braves organization to navigate a delicate balance between its passionate fanbase and the demands of Native American advocacy groups. Understanding the history of this item—from its humble 1990s origins to its current status as a symbol of cultural conflict—is essential to grasping the full scope of the controversy.

The Foam Tomahawk’s Origin Story and Controversial Entities

The story of the foam tomahawk is inextricably linked to the rise of the "Tomahawk Chop" chant, a tradition that exploded into the national consciousness during the Atlanta Braves’ successful 1991 season.

The FSU Connection and Deion Sanders

The "Tomahawk Chop" did not originate in Atlanta. It was first popularized by fans of the Florida State University (FSU) Seminoles. The chant was later introduced to the Braves fanbase by none other than two-sport star Deion Sanders, who played for both the Braves and FSU. As the Braves made their surprising postseason run in 1991, the chant and accompanying arm motion gained traction. To capitalize on the booming stadium tradition, foam-rubber tomahawks were quickly manufactured and sold around the area, providing fans with a physical prop for the sweeping, chopping motion. This moment solidified the foam tomahawk’s place as a cornerstone of the Truist Park (and formerly Turner Field and SunTrust Park) experience.

Key Entities in the Debate: The Voices of Opposition

The controversy surrounding the foam tomahawk and the Chop is not new, with objections from Native American communities dating back to at least 1972. The debate involves numerous entities:

• The Atlanta Braves: The MLB organization that continues to sell the item as official merchandise.
• The Tomahawk Chop: The actual chant and arm motion that the foam prop facilitates.
• Native American Advocates/Indigenous Groups: Organizations and individuals who view the practice as a form of cultural appropriation and a harmful racial stereotype.
• Cherokee Nation and Creek Nation: Chiefs from Georgia's two major historic tribes have publicly stated they find the practice inappropriate.
• Ryan Helsley: The St. Louis Cardinals pitcher and member of the Cherokee Nation who publicly called the Chop "disrespectful" in 2019, prompting the Braves to temporarily stop distributing the foam tomahawks in a key playoff game.
• MLB Commissioner Manfred: The league’s official who has defended the practice by citing local Native American support, a claim disputed by national advocacy groups.
• American Indian Movement (AIM): A national group that has protested the practice since its early days.

The Shifting Stance: When the Chop Stops

While the foam tomahawk is a permanent fixture in the MLB Shop and at Truist Park retail locations, the Braves organization has shown a willingness to adjust its public promotion of the item in response to significant public pressure. This shifting stance highlights the sensitivity of the issue, particularly during high-profile games.

The 2019 Playoff Game Incident

The most notable instance of the team pulling back occurred during the 2019 National League Division Series. Following comments from Cardinals pitcher Ryan Helsley, the Braves made a conscious decision not to distribute the foam tomahawks to fans before Game 5. They also limited the playing of the accompanying music and graphics that encourage the Tomahawk Chop. This move demonstrated that the team is aware of the offensive nature of the tradition to some, but it was a temporary measure. The Tomahawk Foam returned to circulation shortly after, and the fan-driven chop continues to be a staple of home games. The team's official stance is often to limit "official endorsement" while permitting fan participation, a policy that allows the practice to continue without the organization taking full responsibility for its promotion.

A Comparison to Other Team Changes

The controversy surrounding the Atlanta Braves is part of a larger, ongoing movement to eliminate Native American imagery in sports. The debate is often framed alongside the Washington Commanders (formerly the Redskins) changing their name and the Cleveland Guardians (formerly the Indians) retiring the controversial Chief Wahoo mascot. Advocates argue that the continued use of the foam tomahawk and the Chop places the Braves on the wrong side of history, maintaining a harmful relic of the country's long history of racism and discrimination against Native peoples. The team, however, often points to a claimed local support for the tradition and its efforts to elevate Native American culture through other initiatives.

The 2025 Status: Merchandise, Tradition, and the Future

Despite the ongoing cultural pressure and the team's occasional efforts to reduce its visibility, the Atlanta Braves Tomahawk Foam remains a readily available piece of team merchandise in December 2025. The Braves Tomahawk Bundle, which includes multiple foam tomahawks with the "Chop On" logo, is still sold through official channels like the MLB Shop and Fanatics, signaling that the organization continues to profit from the tradition. This commercial endorsement ensures the item's visibility and fuels the stadium tradition.

Why the Foam Tomahawk Persists

The persistence of the Tomahawk Foam can be attributed to several factors:

1. Fan Identity: For a significant portion of the fanbase, the Chop is a deeply ingrained stadium tradition, an expression of team support, and a collective identity that dates back to the early 1990s.
2. Commercial Value: The foam tomahawk is a popular, low-cost item with high-profit margins, making it a valuable piece of Braves merchandise.
3. Organizational Stance: The team's policy of "permitting fan participation" allows them to avoid a complete ban, placing the decision to chop (or not to chop) on the individual fan rather than the club.

The debate over the Atlanta Braves Tomahawk Chop and its accompanying foam prop is unlikely to end soon. It serves as a microcosm of the larger struggle over Indigenous imagery in American sports. While the team has made small gestures, the continued official sale of the Tomahawk Foam in 2025 confirms that the organization has yet to make a definitive, permanent move to retire the controversial symbol. For fans, it's a rally cry; for critics, it's a painful reminder of cultural appropriation that demands a change.