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In a post-training meeting with reporters, Washington Commanders Defense Coordinator Jack Del Rio minimized the January 6 storming of the US Capitol building, calling it “dust” compared to the racial justice protests that followed George Floyd’s death in 2020
“I can watch pictures on TV [of the Floyd protests] – people’s livelihood is destroyed. Businesses are burning. No problem, “he said. “And then we have dust in the Capitol, nothing has burned and we will make this a big deal. I just think it’s like two standards, and if we apply the same standard and be reasonable with each other, let’s have a discussion. “
Del Rio’s comments came in response to questions about a post on social media he posted earlier in the week. The 59-year veteran football coach has been candid on Twitter during each of the three off-season seasons he coached commanders, often on conservative political issues.
The latest tweet came Monday night in response to a report by the Brookings Institution, a think tank in Washington, on the House of Representatives committee investigating the January 6 attack, which will begin hearings Thursday after 11 months and more than 1,000 interviews. Del Rio wrote: “I would like to know” the whole story “about why the summer of riots, looting, burning and destruction of personal property is never discussed, but it is ??? # Common sense. “
Del Rio’s comments seem to contradict recent reports of racial justice by the NFL and contradict the way the league and its own team reacted to Floyd’s death. In June 2020, Rivera said he would support players who knelt during the national anthem in protest of racial injustice and police brutality, and in August the head coach overturned the practice of holding a racial justice team discussion after the shooting. of Jacob Blake.
Commander-in-Chief Jason Wright has spearheaded the team’s latest efforts to promote racial justice and staff diversity. This became the subject of a search for the stadium’s new site when Maryland officials pointed to a social change the team could make by retaining its seat in Black Prince George County. A spokesman for the team did not respond to a request for an interview with Wright on Wednesday.
Virginia lawmakers are currently considering legislation designed to lure commanders to relocate to Virginia, and a state senator has suggested that Del Rio’s comments could resonate in Richmond. “I just made a deal to vote NO,” tweeted Senator Jeremy C. McPike (Prince William) on Wednesday. “I think what is burning today is the stadium. Earlier, McPike expressed reservations about the proposed legislation for the stadium and expressed concerns about transport around a potential location in Woodbridge.
His comments have angered some fans and commentators, such as former defender DeAngelo Hall tweeting the veteran coach’s emoji clown, and Brian Mitchell called on commanders’ head coach Ron Rivera to deal with the situation.
“How [you] Do you expect any of this team to be honest when you have such a person in the position of defense coordinator? Mitchell said on his radio show 106.7 The Fan on Wednesday.
“Jack Del Rio is an ignorant, ignorant man,” former Seattle successor Doug Baldwin wrote on Twitter. “And that’s as loving and respectful as I can put it.”
Del Rio said he was not worried that his tweets would offend players – in part because he did not think “race has anything to do with” the riot – or that his use of Twitter could affect the team.
“Everything I ever say or write will be convenient for me to say or write in front of everyone I work with, players and coaches,” Del Rio said. “I express myself as an American; we have this ability. I love this country and I believe in what I believe in, and I said what I want to say. From time to time, there are people who take offense at this. “
Rivera declined to discuss Del Rio’s tweets with reporters on Wednesday, declining to say whether he had discussed them with his defense coordinator. Rivera said it was “not necessary” to worry that Del Rio’s comments would affect the locker room, which is mostly black and includes many players who backed Floyd’s protests with words and posts on social media two years ago. If that becomes a problem, Rivera said, he will deal with it.
“I will not share with you guys how to deal with this, because it will be a personal matter,” he added.
Del Rio said that if any of his players were offended by his comments, he would welcome a discussion.
“I would talk to everyone about it,” he said. “No problem. At any time. But they are not [offended]. I’m just expressing myself, and I think all of us as Americans have a right to express ourselves, especially if you’re being respectful. I show respect. I just asked a simple question. Really. Let’s move on to him. What did I ask? A simple question. Why don’t we look at these things [around the 2020 protests]? ”
In an interview with NBC Sports, Washington, one of the most prominent defense leaders, Jonathan Allen, said that although he was aware of Del Rio’s tweets, they did not provoke much discussion in the locker room.
“In the end, you can have different opinions and still respect each other,” Alan said. “I feel that this is our country. This is ours of the team concerning. So, I mean, I personally don’t care about his opinion, as long as he shows up every day and works hard. That’s what I want from my defense coordinator. “
Corner veteran Kendall Fuller said he hadn’t seen Del Rio’s tweet, and after reading it, he said there was no reaction.
“If I have a reaction or a feeling for something, I will express it with him,” he said.
Since the summer of 2020, Fuller said, players have been in constant discussions about the race in the locker room.
“It’s definitely something the boys still have,” Fuller said. “It may not be as wide as it was when it all happened. But this is something you still see, conversations that the boys are still having. Like everything in the locker room. I love NFL locker rooms because they’re all so comfortable. We all know each other, we all feel good with each other, everyone is open to listen and hear everyone. ”
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