ASHBURN, Va. – Washington Commander Defensive Coordinator Jack Del Rio apologized to the team on Tuesday for his controversial comments last week regarding events at the U.S. Capitol on January 6, 2021 like a “bracelet.” . “
Washington coach Ron Rivera said Del Rio’s apology was “well received” and added that his coordinator has met with several players to discuss his comments.
“Jack spoke to the team this morning during the team meeting and was very open and contrite and apologized and was open to questions,” Rivera said. “He said, ‘Guys, if you have any questions, come see me and let’s talk about it. It was good. I mean reconciliation.’
Rivera also said he fined Del Rio $ 100,000 last week because his comments had caused a distraction for the team. Del Rio deleted his Twitter account on Saturday, which Rivera said he did not ask.
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“It’s not about the fact that he has exercised his right to freedom of expression,” Rivera said. “That’s what affected this football team. I really believe in the First Amendment.
“It’s a very serious question and topic, but at the end of the day it impacted us. That’s why I did what I did.”
Del Rio used this “dustup” while defending a response he made to Twitter two days earlier. In a reply to Norm Eisen of the Brookings Institute, who promoted a report before the January 6 hearings, Del Rio tweeted: “I would like to understand ‘the whole story’ about why the summer of riots, looting, fires and never talk about the destruction of personal property, but that ????
Del Rio’s tweets and subsequent explanation did not help a franchise that has remained in the headlines for much of the past two years for non-football issues. The organization has spent the off-season trying to rebuild its brand, officially changing its name to Commanders, amid a congressional investigation into 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, DC, are investigating allegations of financial irregularities.
Rivera said he re-read the First Amendment and had a copy on his office desk. He compared it when he was in Carolina and security Eric Reid was on his knees 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. He showed me what it was about. In Jack’s case, it’s the same. But what we have to understand, with rights and freedoms, carries 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 was not told that another strike would result in his dismissal.
“This was not communicated otherwise than Jack and I had a conversation that will remain between the two of us,” Rivera said.
Del Rio also apologized in a statement on Wednesday, saying: “To refer to this situation as dust was irresponsible and negligent and I am sorry. I maintain my comments condemning the violence in communities across the country. I say this. at the same time expressing my support as an American citizen for a peaceful protest in our country. “