Washington Commanders Jack Del Rio, defensive coordinator, deleted his Twitter account on Saturday after being fined for comments related to a tweet he posted a week ago.
Washington fined Del Rio $100,000 Friday, for making controversial comments earlier in the week.
Del Rio deleted his account, but the team did not make any statement. ESPN sent Del Rio an SMS and he didn't immediately reply.
Rivera stated Friday that Del Rio's comments did not reflect the organization’s views and were extremely harmful to D.C.
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 attempting to overturn free and fair elections, a number of citizens, caused the Capitol building to be damaged and lives lost.”
Del Rio deleted his account, but the team did not make any statements. Del Rio did respond to a text, but he didn't immediately respond.
Del Rio is expected Tuesday to address the team, but multiple sources close enough to the players claim that it won't be an issue with his players. One person close to defensive end Chase Young Del Rio was quoted as saying, “That's his man.”
Jon Allen, defensive tackle, told NBC Sports Washington that he doesn't care what his opinion is as long as he shows-up every day and works hard. That's what i want from my defensive coach.”
Del Rio's tweets, and subsequent explanation, did not help a team that has been featured in the headlines for many of the past two seasons for other than football issues. The Commanders have spent the offseason trying rebuild their brand. On June 22, Congress invited him as a witness at a hearing.
The NFL continues to investigate the sexual misconduct allegations against Snyder. Washington, D.C. attorneys general are investigating financial improprieties.
Del Rio responded to Norm Eisen of the Brookings Institute on Wednesday. Del Rio wrote in a response to Norm Eisen, Brookings Institute: “Would love the whole story” about the reasons for the summer of riots and looting that saw the burning of personal property destroyed. This is ???”
Del Rio stated that he felt two standards were being applied when he met up with media members on Wednesday. He claimed he was only voicing his opinion.
Del Rio, however, referred to Jan. 6th at the U.S. Capitol events as a “dustup” in his response to the last question of the news conference. This created another controversy. Rivera met him later that day, and again Friday morning to inform him of the fine. The money will be donated the U.S. Capitol Police Memorial Fund.
Del Rio issued a statement Wednesday apologizing.
“Referencing the situation as an uproar was irresponsible, negligent and I am sorry,” said he. “I stand behind my comments condemning violence within communities across the nation. I stand by my comments while also supporting peaceful protest in the United States as an American citizen.
Derrick Johnson, the president of NAACP called on Del Rio to resign or be fired for his remarks.
