Washington Commanders Fine Defensive Coach Jack Del Rio $100,000 for Calling January 6 Capitol Riot a “Dust Up” Compared to George Floyd Riots
The Washington Commanders NFL team (formerly the Redskins), fined defensive coach Jack Del Rio $100,000 Friday for comments earlier this week in which he called the January 6, 2021 Capitol riot a “dust up” as compared to the nationwide George Floyd riots in late spring and summer of 2020.
Del Rio initially commented on the riots in a tweet Monday night on the January 6 Congressional committee, “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 ???
#CommonSense”
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 ???#CommonSense
— Jack Del Rio (@coachdelrio) June 7, 2022
Del Rio explained his comment during a Commanders press conference on Wednesday:
Oh, if they are (if the players are upset) and, and they want to talk about it, I’d talk about it with anybody, no problem, at any time. But they’re not. I’m just expressing myself, and I think we all as Americans have a right to express ourselves, especially if you’re being respectful. I’m being respectful.
I just asked a simple question. Really, did I, let’s get right down to it, what did I ask? A simple question. Why are we not looking into those things. If we’re going to talk about it, why are we not looking into those things? Cuz it’s kinda hard for me to say. I can realistically look at it, I see the images on the TV: People’s livelihoods are being destroyed, businesses are being burned down, no problem. And then we have a dustup at the Capitol, nothing burned down, and we’re not gonna talk about, we’re going to make that a major deal. I just think it’s kind of two standards and if we apply the same standard and we’re going to be reasonable with each other, let’s have a discussion. That’s all it was. Let’s have a discussion. We’re Americans, let’s talk it through. I’m for, I’m for us, you know, having a great opportunity to have a fulfilled life. Like I said every which way I can when I’m here it’s about love and respect. I love my guys, I respect my guys, but I also love the fact that I’m an American and that means I’m free to express myself and I’m not afraid to do that.
Commanders DC Jack Del Rio on his recent tweet (https://t.co/odv7zr4BOn) at today's media session
"Businesses are being burned down, no problem… and then we have a dust-up at the Capitol, nothing burned down… and we're gonna make that a major deal."@nbcwashington pic.twitter.com/zH39iSqHM8
— NBC4 Sports (@NBC4Sports) June 8, 2022
Del Rio tweeted an apology later on Wednesday:
“I made comments earlier today 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. 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 protests in America. I love, respect, and support all my fellow coaches, players, and staff that I work with and respect their views and opinions.”
pic.twitter.com/wm29NXGGAn
https://www.thegatewaypundit.com/2022/06/washington-commanders-fine-defensive-coach-jack-del-rio-100000-calling-january-6-capitol-riot-dust-compared-george-floyd-riots/