Washington Commanders defensive coordinator Jack Del Rio apologized Wednesday for remarks made earlier in the day when he referred to the insurrection at the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6 as a ‘dust-up.’
“Referencing that situation as a dust-up was irresponsible and negligent and I am sorry,” Del Rio said in a statement on social media later on Wednesday. “I stand by my comments condemning violence in communities across the country.”
Del Rio’s earlier comments to reporters came after he was asked whether or not he would be willing to address with his players a tweet where he questioned why protests after the murder of George Floyd at the hands of police were not being discussed the same way as the insurrection at the U.S. Capitol.
“Because it’s kind of hard for me to say I can realistically look at it,” Del Rio said to reporters earlier Wednesday. “I see the images on TV. People’s livelihoods are being destroyed, businesses being burned down. No problem. And then we have a dust-up at the Capitol. Nothing burned down. And we’re not going to talk about … we’re going to make that a major deal. I just think it’s kind of two standards.”
“I’m just expressing myself,” Del Rio said to reporters earlier on Wednesday. “And I think we as Americans have the right to express ourselves especially if you’re being respectful. I’m being respectful.”
“I just asked a simple question,” he continued. “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 (Jan. 6)? Why are we not looking into those things?
Del Rio told reporters Wednesday that he’d “talk about it with anybody.”
“Let’s have a discussion,” he said. “We’re Americans. Just talk it through. I’m for us having a great opportunity to have a fulfilling 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.”
Washington head coach Ron Rivera declined to comment on Del Rio’s statements when he met with media members Wednesday.
“I’m not gonna talk about the stuff that I talk with my coaches about, especially stuff that’s off the field and not pertaining to football,” he said. “It’s just everyone’s entitled to their opinion now.”
(Photo: Geoff Burke / USA Today)
