Del Rio apologizes after calling Jan. 6 a ‘dustup’

ASHBURN, Va. — Washington Commanders defensive coordinator Jack Del Rio apologized on Wednesday after calling the Jan. 6, 2021, riots on the U.S. Capitol a “dustup.”

“I made feedback earlier right this moment in referencing the assault that befell on the US Capitol on January 6, 2021. Referencing that scenario as a dust-up was irresponsible and negligent and I’m sorry,” Del Rio stated in an announcement posted on Twitter. “I stand by my feedback condemning violence in communities throughout the nation. I say that whereas additionally expressing my assist as an American citizen for peaceable protest in our nation. I’ve totally supported all peaceable protests in America.

“I really like, respect, and assist all my fellow coaches, gamers, and employees that I work with and respect their views and opinions.”

On Monday, Del Rio tweeted in response to a submit about upcoming hearings on the occasions of Jan. 6: “Would love to grasp ‘the entire story’ about why the summer time of riots, looting, burning and the destruction of private property isn’t mentioned however that is??? #CommonSense.”

Del Rio instructed reporters on Wednesday, earlier than his apology, that he was simply asking a query about occasions within the spring and summer time of 2020 that adopted George Floyd’s dying.

“Why are we not wanting into these issues — if we will speak about it — why are we not wanting into these issues?” Del Rio stated. “I can have a look at photographs on the TV, folks’s livelihoods are being destroyed, companies are being burned down, no downside. After which now we have a dustup on the Capitol, nothing burned down, and we will make {that a} main deal. I simply assume it is sort of two requirements, and if we apply the identical normal and we will be affordable with one another, let’s have a dialogue. That is all it was. Let’s have a dialogue.”

The Home committee investigating the 2021 rebellion will conduct its first public listening to Thursday. The six hearings, that are anticipated to final till late June, would be the first time the committee discloses “beforehand unseen materials” about what it has found in the midst of a 10-month investigation that has touched practically each side of the rebellion.

Not like another congressional committee in latest occasions, the panel’s work has been each extremely anticipated by Democrats and routinely criticized by Donald Trump and the previous president’s allies, together with some Republicans in Congress, who complain it’s partisan.

This wasn’t the primary time Del Rio brought on a stir together with his tweets, although there have been no indications it has turn into a problem together with his gamers. Commanders defensive deal with Jonathan Allen instructed NBC Sports activities Washington that the tweets weren’t a locker room subject.

“Everyone seems to be entitled to their very own opinion,” Allen stated. “Some guys resolve to share it on Twitter; some guys do not. You’ll be able to have a distinction of opinion and nonetheless respect each other. I really feel that is what our nation is about, that is what this workforce is about. I do not care about his opinion so long as he exhibits up every single day and works onerous. That is what I would like from my defensive coordinator.”

Cornerback Kendall Fuller stated on Wednesday that he wasn’t conscious of Del Rio’s tweets.

When a reporter learn the tweet to Fuller, he replied: “I haven’t got a response proper now. If I’ve a response or feeling towards one thing, I will categorical that with him.”

Former Washington cornerback DeAngelo Corridor, the workforce’s radio analyst the previous two years, tweeted a clown emoji Wednesday at Del Rio in reply to considered one of his tweets.

Two years in the past, in a response to criticism he was receiving from different Twitter customers — and when some recognized him as a supporter of Trump — Del Rio tweeted, “I am 100% for America, in the event you’re not you possibly can kiss my A$$.”

Commanders head coach Ron Rivera didn’t reveal whether or not he has talked with Del Rio about his tweets.

“I am not going to speak about stuff that I speak to my coaches about, particularly stuff that is off the sector and never pertaining to soccer,” Rivera stated. “Everyone’s entitled to their opinion, although.

“If it ever turns into a problem or a scenario, we’ll have that dialogue. Proper now, it is one thing that I’ll take care of when it comes up.”

Earlier Wednesday, Del Rio was requested by reporters whether or not he was involved that his tweets might doubtlessly have a detrimental affect on Black gamers.

“Something that I ever say or write, I might be comfy saying or writing in entrance of everyone that I work with — gamers and coaches,” Del Rio stated. “I categorical myself as an American — now we have that capacity. I really like this nation, and I imagine what I imagine, and I’ve stated what I need to say. Now and again, there’s some those that get offended by it.”

Del Rio instructed reporters throughout his availability he wasn’t frightened about his tweets impacting his relationship together with his gamers, nearly all of whom are Black, including that he does not “assume race had something to do with that incident” on Jan. 6.

“I will be the person I’m,” Del Rio stated. “I function right here as a coach with nothing however love and respect for everyone that I work with. … If they’re [upset] they usually need to speak about it, I might speak about it with anyone, no downside, at any time.

“However they are not. I am simply expressing myself, and I feel all of us as People have a proper to precise ourselves, particularly in the event you’re being respectful. I am being respectful.”

Del Rio’s remark sparked criticism from Virginia State Sen. Scott Surovell, who represents the district the place the workforce not too long ago bought land with the hopes of constructing a stadium. Late final month, the Virginia normal meeting delayed a vote on a brand new stadium. A vote might happen later this summer time, though it’s thought-about unlikely.

Surovell tweeted Wednesday afternoon: “The probably indifference & tolerance within the @NFL to Jack Del Rio’s indifference to rebellion underscores the league’s hypocrisy in blackballing @Kaepernick7 and in addition makes clear to me that we cannot be seeing any extra votes on stadium payments this 12 months.”

When he was the top coach of the Raiders in 2017, Del Rio defended Marshawn Lynch when Trump criticized the star working again for sitting in the course of the U.S. nationwide anthem however standing in the course of the Mexican anthem earlier than a sport in Mexico Metropolis.

Del Rio stated on the time that “everyone ought to pay respect to the flag … however it’s America and everyone could make their selection.” His spouse, Linda, then tweeted that she regretted voting for Trump in 2016.

The Commanders have had a turbulent offseason, not less than on the subject of non-football issues. Congress continues to analyze the group and proprietor Dan Snyder particularly for the office tradition; a listening to is scheduled for June 22.

Congress additionally despatched a letter to the Federal Commerce Fee saying the group dedicated monetary improprieties. The workforce rebutted these claims in a 105-page letter of its personal to the FTC.

Info from The Related Press was used on this report.