Jack Del Rio Apologizes For Calling Jan. 6 Capitol Attack 'A Dust-Up'
Commanders Coach Jack Del Rio Sorry I Called Jan. 6 Attack A 'Dust Up' 'irresponsible & negligent'
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2:25 PM PT -- Coach Jack Del Rio is walking back his comments on January 6, addressing the controversial statements on social media. While Del Rio didn't do a total 180, the coach apologized for downplaying violence at the Capitol last year.
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"I made comments earlier today 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."
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"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."
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The Commanders DC ended his apology reaffirming his love for the USA.
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"I have fully supported all peaceful protests in America. I love, respect, and support all my fellow coaches, players, and staff that work with and respect their views and opinions."
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10:16 AM PT -- Jonathan Allen -- one of the Commanders' best players -- says Del Rio's comments have not appeared to ruffle any feathers in the locker room.
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I asked Jonathan Allen about Jack Del Rio’s tweets - it’s a smart answer to a complicated question - “At the end of the day you can a difference of opinion and still respect one another” pic.twitter.com/mvVl0X0l5G
— JP Finlay (@JPFinlayNBCS) June 8, 2022 @JPFinlayNBCS
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"In my opinion, everyone's entitled to their own opinion," the defensive lineman said. "Some guys decide to share it on Twitter. Some guys don't. Doesn't make one person better than the other."
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He added, "At the end of the day, you can have a difference of opinion and still respect one another."
Shocking comments from NFL coach Jack Del Rio ... who just called the Jan. 6 attacks at the nation's Capitol "a dust-up."
The Washington Commanders defensive coordinator made the remarks during a meeting with media members on Wednesday -- in an attempt to explain his controversial post on his Twitter page earlier this week.
Commanders DC Jack Del Rio on his recent tweet (https://t.co/odv7zr4BOn) at today's media session
— NBC4 Sports (@NBC4Sports) June 8, 2022 @NBC4Sports
"Businesses are being burned down, no problem... and then we have a dust-up at the Capitol, nothing burned down... and we're gonna make that a major deal."@nbcwashington pic.twitter.com/zH39iSqHM8
If you missed it, in a tweet on Monday, the 59-year-old questioned why the 2020 riots following George Floyd's murder were not being investigated with the same fervor as the January 2021 attack at the Capitol.
"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 wrote. "#CommonSense."
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
— Jack Del Rio (@coachdelrio) June 7, 2022 @coachdelrio
Del Rio elaborated further on his tweet to reporters at Commanders practice Wednesday ... making comments that raised eyebrows.
"Let's get right down to it," Del Rio said. "What did I ask? A simple question -- why are we not looking into those things if we're going to talk about it. Why are we not looking into those things?"
"Because it's kind of hard for me to say, I can realistically look at it -- 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 capital, where nothing burned down. And we're going to make that a major deal."
FYI -- the insurrection, which occurred following the results of the 2020 election, resulted in the deaths of five individuals.
"I just think it's kind of two standards," Del Rio continued. "And if we apply the same standard, and we're going to be reasonable with each other, let's have a discussion. That's all it was. Let's have a discussion. We're Americans. Let's talk it through."
Del Rio, who posts polarizing opinions on his social media page daily, insisted his players are not concerned by his comments ... but added, "If they are, and they want to talk about it, I'll talk about it with anybody."
"I'm for us having a great opportunity to have a fulfilled life," he said.
Del Rio was hired by the Commanders following the 2019-20 NFL season. He previously worked as the head coach of the Jacksonville Jaguars and the Oakland Raiders.
Originally Published -- 9:24 AM PT
