Washington Commanders' coach apologizes for 'irresponsible' comment comparing Jan 6 rioting to Black Lives Matter
The defensive coordinator for the Washington Commanders professional football team apologized for his "irresponsible and negligent" comments comparing Black Lives Matter rioting to that on Jan. 6 at the U.S. Capitol.
Jack Del Rio issued the apology via a statement on his Twitter account.
"I made comments earlier in referencing the attack that took place on the United States Capitol on January 6, 2021. Referencing that situation as a dust-up was irresponsible and negligent and I am sorry," wrote Del Rio.
The coach was referring to comments he made during the team's minicamp event in answer to questions from reporters about a tweet where he decried the Jan. 6 committee's investigation.
"I stand by my comments condemning violence in communities across the country. I say that while also expressing my support as an American citizen for peaceful protest in our country. I have fully supported all peaceful protest in America," he continued.
"I love, respect, and support all my fellow coaches, players, and staff that I work with and respect their views and opinions," he concluded.
The tweet had questioned the relative lack of media coverage for the rioting during racial riots.
"Would love to understand 'the whole story ' about why the summer of riots, looting, burning and the destruction of personal property is never discussed but this is ???" he wrote in response to a post about the committee.
Del Rio explained the tweet further during a media briefing.
"Let's get right down to it. What did I ask? A simple question. Why are we not looking into those things?" he said about the BLM rioting.
"I see the images on TV. People's livelihoods are being destroyed. Businesses are being burned down, no problem. And then we have a dust-up at the Capitol, nothing burned down. And we're not gonna talk about, we're gonna make that a major deal," he continued.
"Let's have a discussion," he concluded. "We're Americans. Let's talk it through!"
The Commanders' head coach Ron Rivera declined to comment about the controversy.
The Jan. 6 committee is conducting public hearings about the evidence they've gathered about rioting at the U.S. Capitol beginning Thursday.
Here's more about Del Rio's comments:
Commanders DC Jack Del Rio responds to criticism over recent tweets | NBC Sports Washingtonwww.youtube.com
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Commanders' Ron Rivera fines coach Jack Del Rio $100,000 for 'extremely hurtful' comments about Jan. 6 rioting and BLM protests
The head coach of the Washington Commanders professional football team fined the team's defensive coach over what he called "extremely hurtful" comments comparing the rioting on Jan. 6 at the U.S. Capitol and violent protests by Black Lives Matter.
Coach Ron Rivera posted his statement about defensive coordinator Jack Del Rio on the team's official Twitter account on Friday.
"This morning, I met with Coach Del Rio to express how disappointed I am in his comments on Wednesday. His comments do not reflect the organization’s views and are extremely hurtful to our great community here in the DMV," said Rivera in the statement, referring to the District of Columbia, Maryland, Virginia.
"As we saw last night in the hearings, what happened on the Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021, was an act of domestic terrorism. A group of citizens attempted to overturn the results of a free and fair election, and as a result, lives were lost and the Capitol building was damaged," he explained.
"Coach Del Rio did apologize for his comments on Wednesday, and he understands the distinction between the events of that dark day and peaceful protests, which are a hallmark of our democracy," he added.
He want on to say that although Del Rio has the constitutional right to free speech, his words "hurt a lot of people" in the community and said the team would not "tolerate" anyone equating the Jan. 6 rioting to that of BLM.
"After reflecting on the situation and circumstances," I have decided to fine Coach Del Rio $100,000, which the team will donate to the United States Capitol Police Memorial Fund. I feel strongly that after our conversation this morning, he will have a greater understanding for the impact of his language and the values that our team stands for."
Del Rio had clarified comments he made on Twitter during a briefing with the media and then later apologized for his comments.
"I made comments earlier in referencing the attack that took place on the United States Capitol on January 6, 2021. Referencing that situation as a dust-up was irresponsible and negligent and I am sorry," wrote Del Rio in part.
"I stand by my comments condemning violence in communities across the country. I say that while also expressing my support as an American citizen for peaceful protest in our country. I have fully supported all peaceful protest in America," he added.
The Commanders also made a statement in support of LGBTQ advocacy for Pride Month.
Here's more about the Jack Del Rio dustup:
Commanders DC Jack Del Rio responds to criticism over recent tweets | NBC Sports Washingtonwww.youtube.com