NFL Coach Walks Back Comments Comparing Jan. 6 To BLM Riots

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Washington Commanders defensive coordinator Jack Del Rio apologized for making “irresponsible and negligent” remarks comparing the Jan. 6 “dust up” to Black Lives Matter rioting in 2020.

“I made comments earlier in referencing the attack that took place on the United States Capitol on January 6, 2021. Referencing that situation as a dust-up was irresponsible and negligent and I am sorry,” he said in a Twitter statement on Monday. 

“I stand by my comments condemning violence in communities across the country. I say that while also expressing my support as an American citizen for peaceful protest in our country. I have fully supported all peaceful protest in America,” Del Rio continued. 

The Commanders coach caused another headline headache for the scandal plagued team, when he questioned the media’s coverage in 2020 in reply to a post about the Jan. 6 Committee hearings.

“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,” he tweeted on Monday.   

Del Rio addressed the post the same day at a team event, when he said that he would talk to his players “anytime” if they were concerned about his remarks. “But they’re not. I’m just expressing myself and I think we all as Americans have the right to to express ourselves,” he commented. 

The defensive coordinator went on to explain that cities burned during BLM protests, and the Jan. 6 riot was a “dust-up” in comparison to the amount of property damage across the nation in 2020. 

“I see the images on TV. People’s livelihoods are being destroyed. Businesses are being burned down, no problem. And then we have a dust-up at the Capitol, nothing burned down. And we’re not gonna talk about… We’re gonna make that a major deal,” he told reporters. “Let’s have a discussion, we’re Americans. Let’s talk it through.”

Del Rio concluded that “it’s about love and respect” for him on the field, but he also loves that he’s an American who is free to express himself, and is “not afraid of doing that.”   

The NFL coach toned down his freedom of expression and amped up the workplace gratitude on the tail of his apology tweet. “I love, respect, and support all my fellow coaches, players, and staff that I work with and respect their views and opinions,” he Del Rio wrote.


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