Washington Commanders Jack Del Rio, defensive coordinator, deleted his Twitter account Saturday after he was fined $80 for comments about a tweet that he posted almost a week earlier.
Washington fined Del Rio $100,000 for controversial remarks he made earlier this week.
Del Rio deleted his account without any explanation from the team. ESPN sent Del Rio a message, but Del Rio did not respond immediately.
Ron Rivera, Commanders head coach, said Friday in a statement that Del Rio’s comments did not reflect the organization’s viewpoints and were extremely harmful to the District of Columbia.
Rivera stated, “As we witnessed last night at the hearings,” that the January 6th incident on Capitol Hill in 2021 was an act domestic terrorism. “A group of citizens tried to overturn the results from a free, fair election. As a result, lives were lost, and the Capitol building was destroyed.”
Del Rio will address the team Tuesday. However, multiple sources close to players say they don’t believe it will be an issue. One person close to defensive end Chase Young Del Rio said, “That’s his guy.”
Defensive tackle Jonathan Allen NBC Sports Washington said, “I don’t care about his opinions as long as he works hard every day.” This is what I expect from my defensive coordinator.
Del Rio’s tweets, and subsequent explanation, did not help a franchise which has been featured in the media for non-football matters for most of the past two seasons. The Commanders have been rebuilding their brand since the offseason, when the Commanders officially changed their name to the Commanders amid a congressional investigation into Dan Snyder. Snyder was invited by Congress to testify in a hearing that took place on June 22.
The NFL continues to investigate the sexual misconduct allegations against Snyder. Washington and Virginia’s attorneys general are investigating financial improprieties.
Del Rio responded to Norm Eisen of the Brookings Institution on Wednesday. Del Rio wrote in a response to Norm Eisen, Brookings Institution: “Would love the whole story” about the reasons for the summer of riots and looting that saw the burning of personal property destroyed. However, this is ???”
Del Rio stated that he felt two standards were being applied when he met with media members on Wednesday, during a previously scheduled session. He claimed he was only expressing his opinion.
Del Rio responded to his last question at his news conference by referring to Jan. 6 events at the U.S. Capitol’s as a “dustup,” causing another controversy. Rivera met him later that day, and again Friday morning to discuss the fine. The money will go to the United States Capitol Police Memorial Fund.
Del Rio issued a statement Wednesday apologizing for his actions.
“Referencing the situation as an uproar was irresponsible, negligent and I am sorry,” said he. “I stand by my condemnation of violence in communities throughout the country. While I do so, I also support peaceful protest in America as an American citizen.
Derrick Johnson, the president of NAACP called on Del Rio to resign or be fired for his remarks.