ASHBURN, Va. — Washington Commanders Jack Del Rio, defensive coordinator, defends his tweets concerning the Jan. 6, 2021 rebellion. He says he wants to find out why not the same energy is devoted in 2020 to “riots” and “dust up” at U.S. Capitol.
Del Rio tweeted Monday In response to a Twitter question about Jan. 6 events: “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.”
Del Rio claimed Wednesday that he was asking a question about 2020 events in the spring/summer after George Floyd’s death.
I would love to know the “full story” behind the summer of looting, burning, and destruction of personal property. But this is it.?#CommonSense
— Jack Del Rio (@coachdelrio) June 7, 2022
“Why don’t we look into these things? If we’re going on to talk about it, why aren’t we looking into them?” Del Rio said. I can see the images on the TV. People’s livelihoods have been destroyed. Businesses are being torched. The Capitol was reopened after a dustup. Nothing was damaged. We’ll make this a big deal. It’s a matter of two standards. Let’s discuss if we use the same standard and are willing to be reasonable with one another. That was it. Let’s start a conversation.
Thursday’s first public hearing will be held by the House committee investigating 2021 insurrection. The hearings, which will last until June, will mark the first time that the House committee divulges previously unseen material about the 10-month-long investigation into the 2021 insurrection.
The panel’s work is unlike any other congressional committee of recent times. It has been highly anticipated by Democrats, but routinely criticised by Donald Trump and his former allies, which includes some Republicans in Congress who claim it is partisan.
While this is not the first time Del Rio’s tweets have caused controversy, there are no indications that his tweets have become an issue for his players. Jon Allen, Commanders defensive tackle, told NBC Sports Washington that the tweets weren’t a topic in the locker room.
Allen stated that everyone is free to form their own opinions. Some guys share their opinions on Twitter, while others don’t. One can disagree with another and still respect the other. This is what my country stands for, and this is what the team stands for. As long as he works hard and shows up every day, I don’t care what his opinion is. This is what I expect from my defensive coordinator.”
Cornerback Kendall Fuller He denied knowing about Del Rio’s tweets.
Fuller replied to a reporter who had sent the tweet to him: “I don’t have a reaction at this moment.” If I feel a reaction to something, I’ll share it with him.
DeAngelo Hill, an ex-Washington cornerback, was the team’s radio analyst over the past two year. In response to one of his tweets, Del Rio’s clown emoji was tweeted Wednesday by Del Rio.
Two years ago, Del Rio responded to criticisms he was getting from Twitter users. When some of them identified him as a Trump supporter, Del Rio tweeted “I’m 100% against America, if not you can kiss me A $$.”.”
Ron Rivera, the Commanders’ head coach did not disclose whether he spoke with Del Rio regarding his tweets.
Rivera said, “I’m not going talk about stuff that my coaches talk about, especially stuff that is off-field and not related to football.” Rivera said, “Everyone’s entitled to their opinions.
“If it becomes an issue, or a situation, then we’ll have that conversation.” It’s an issue that I am dealing with right now.
Del Rio was asked about his concerns that his tweets could have a negative influence on Black players.
Del Rio said, “Anything that is ever written or said by me, I’d be comfortable writing or saying it in front of all my colleagues — players and coaches.” “I can express myself as an American. We have that ability. This country is my home and I love it. I also believe in the Constitution and have spoken what I want. There are always people who get offended by it every now and again.”
Del Rio claimed that he wasn’t concerned about his tweets having an impact on his relationship to his players, who are majority Black, and that he doesn’t “think race had anything do with that incident” on Jan. 6.
Del Rio stated, “I’m going be the man that I am.” “I am a coach here with love and respect for everyone I work with. … If they are [upset] If they are interested in discussing it, I would be happy to discuss it with them at any time.
“But they’re not. I am just speaking my mind and Americans have the right to be themselves, particularly if they are respectful. I’m being respectful.”
He was the head coach for the Raiders in 2017, Del Rio defended Marshawn Lynch Trump mocked the star for running back while he sat during the U.S. national song, but he stood during the Mexican anthem in Mexico City.
Del Rio at the time stated that “everybody ought to pay respect to the Flag… but America is America and everybody has the right to make their decision.” Linda, his wife, later tweeted that she regretted voting in 2016 for Trump.
The offseason for the Commanders has been turbulent, at least in non-football matters. Congress continues to investigate Dan Snyder and the company, in particular regarding workplace culture. A hearing is set for June 22.
Congress also wrote a letter to FTC claiming that the agency had committed financial frauds. The FTC received a 105-page reply from the team.
This report was based on information from The Associated Press.