Washington commanders fined defense coordinator Jack Del Rio $ 100,000 after comments earlier this week that they called the January 6, 2021, US Capitol events “access” and compared the day to “riots, looting, burns.” “During the protests in the summer of 2020.
In a statement, Washington coach Ron Rivera said he met with Del Rio on Friday morning to express his disappointment with the coordinator’s comments.
“His comments do not reflect the views of the organization and are extremely hurtful for our large community here at DMV,” Rivera said. “As we saw last night in the hearings, what happened at the Capitol on January 6, 2021 was an act of internal terrorism. A group of citizens tried to overturn the results of free and fair elections, and as a result, lives were lost. and the Capitol building was damaged. “
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The money from the fine will be donated to the Capitol Police Memorial Fund, Rivera said. The Capitol riot injured more than 100 police officers, and five police officers serving in the Capitol on January 6 died in the days and weeks that followed.
Del Rio will also address the team on Tuesday, when the commanders will begin their mandatory three-day mini.
On Wednesday, Del Rio defended a response he made on Twitter two days earlier when he tweeted: “I would like to know the” whole story “of why the summer of riots, robberies, burns and destruction of personal property is never discussed, but It is??? # Common sense. “
Del Rio said it believes two standards apply and is simply expressing its views. But in response to the latest question from his press conference, Del Rio called the US Capitol invasion a “dustup,” creating another controversy over the franchise.
He apologized in a statement later 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. “
Rivera said Del Rio has the right to express its opinion: “But words have consequences and his words hurt many people in our community.”
“I want to make it clear that our organization will not tolerate any equivalence between those who demanded justice after the assassination of George Floyd and the actions of those on January 6 who tried to overthrow our government,” Rivera added. “… I feel strongly that after our conversation this morning, he will have a better understanding of the impact of his language and the values our team stands for.”
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– Washington Commanders (@Commanders) June 10, 2022
On Thursday, the Virginia General Assembly decided to vote next year on whether to help fund Commanders Stadium in the state. Some U.S. senators said Del Rio’s comments made the decision easier, even though there was already momentum to vote.
The same day, NAACP President Derrick Johnson called on Del Rio to “resign or be fired” because of his comments.
“His comments could not be more offensive and ignorant,” Johnson said in a statement. The January 6 uprising – a coup attempt – was far from a “dusting”. Every day we learn more and more about how close our democracy has come to autocracy. The devaluation of the uprising, compared to nationwide protests in response to a public lynching, is distorted. You can’t train a majority black team while turning your back on the black community. It’s time to pack up and get out of the field. “
However, sources close to some defenders said they did not think there would be a split. A source close to the defensive end Chase Young said Del Rio was “his boy”, while defensive striker John Allen told NBC Sports Washington: “I don’t care what he thinks, as long as he shows up every day and works hard. Here’s what I want from my defense coordinator. “
Del Rio said on Wednesday that it would meet with any player who has a problem with what he said.
A House of Representatives commission investigating the 2021 uprising held its first public hearing on Thursday. The six hearings, which are expected to continue until the end of June, include “previously unseen material” on what the commission found during a 10-month investigation.
In addition to the backlash from Del Rio’s comments, the commanders are investigating the NFL against team owner Dan Snyder over workplace culture and allegations of sexual misconduct. These investigations follow a $ 10 million fine issued by the NFL after discovering a toxic culture in the franchise’s workplace. The league launched a new investigation in February after a new charge of sexual misconduct against Snyder.
Attorneys general in Virginia and Washington, D.C., are also investigating allegations of financial misconduct by commanders. The team denied the allegations made by a former employee.
Del Rio caused a stir two years ago with various tweets, telling someone who found out he supported President Donald Trump: “I’m 100% for America, if you’re not, you can kiss my A $$.” This did not disrupt his relationship with the players.
“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 Wednesday. “I express myself as an American; we have this ability. I love this country and I believe what I believe, and I said what I want to say. From time to time there are people who take offense at this. “
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