ASHBURN, Virginia – Washington Defense Coordinator Commanders Jack Del Rio apologized to the team Tuesday for the conflicting comments he made last week in which he called the events at the U.S. Capitol on January 6, 2021. “
Washington coach Ron Rivera said Del Rio’s apology was “well received” and added that his coordinator had met with several players to discuss his comments.
“Jack spoke to the team this morning during the team meeting and was very open and remorseful, apologized and was open to questions,” Rivera said. He said, “Guys, if you have any questions, come see me and talk about it.” It was good. I am for reconciliation. “
Rivera also said he fined Del Rio $ 100,000 last week because his comments distracted the team. Del Rio deleted his Twitter account on Saturday, which Rivera said he had not asked him to do.
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“It’s not about him exercising his right to free speech,” Rivera said. “It’s about what influenced this football team. I believe very strongly in the First Amendment.
“It’s a very serious issue and topic, but at the end of the day it affected us. That’s why I did what I did.”
Del Rio used this “dustup” while defending the response it made on Twitter two days earlier. In response to Norm Eisen of the Brookings Institution, who presented a report ahead of the January 6 hearing, Del Rio tweeted: “I would like to know the whole story of why a summer of riots, looting, burning and destruction of personal property is never discussed. , but this is ???”
Del Rio’s tweets and subsequent explanations have not helped the franchise, which has remained in the headlines for most of the past two years on non-football issues. The organization spent the off-season trying to restore its brand by officially changing its name to Commanders, amid a Congressional investigation against owner Dan Snyder. Congress invited him to testify at a hearing on June 22.
The NFL continues to investigate allegations of sexual misconduct against Snyder, and attorneys general in Virginia and Washington, D.C., are investigating allegations of financial misconduct.
Rivera said he went back and reread the First Amendment and had a copy of it on his desk. He compared it when he was in Carolina to safety, Eric Reed knelt during the national anthem, protesting police brutality.
“Eric and I talked about it because I asked him to help me understand,” Rivera said. “He did it. He showed me what it was all about. Same thing with Jack. But the thing we need to understand, with rights and freedoms, comes a huge responsibility.
Rivera said he met with Del Rio on Friday when he told him he would be fined. They met again Tuesday morning. Rivera said Del Rio had not been told that another blow would lead to his dismissal.
“It was not announced in any other way, except for Jack, we had a conversation that will remain between the two of us,” Rivera said.
Del Rio also apologized in a statement Wednesday, saying: “Calling this situation a questioning was irresponsible and careless, and I’m sorry. I support my comments condemning the violence in communities across the country. I say this while expressing my support as an American citizen for a peaceful protest in our country. “
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