Karl Racine, Washington’s D.C. Attorney General, announced on Wednesday that a “major announcement” would be made on Thursday regarding the Washington Commanders. The Commanders responded with a poorly received statement that referenced the presently unsolved carjacking and shooting of rookie running back, Brian Robinson Jr., as well as the city’s high crime rate, seemingly as a way to hurt Racine’s credibility.
Among the scores of people upset with Washington’s statement was Ryan Williams, Robinson’s agent.
Not long after the Commanders’ statement went public, Williams joined the long list of people speaking out against it. Williams did speak highly of some unspecified people in the organization. He also made it clear that he was not happy with the statement.
“Up until an hour ago, the Commanders handled the Brian Robinson situation with so much care, sincerity and class,” Williams tweeted. “And I was so grateful for all of it. Although I know that there are some great humans in that building, whoever is hiding behind this statement is not one of them.”
Up until an hour ago, the Commanders handled the Brian Robinson situation with so much care, sincerity and class. And I was so grateful for all of it.
Although I know that there are some great humans in that building, whoever is hiding behind this statement is not one of them. https://t.co/cnD0DtUfqm
— Ryan Williams (@RyanWilliamsA1) November 10, 2022
Williams’ response to the Commanders was met with a lot of praise.
This is Brian Robinson’s agent. Good for him. https://t.co/toXNEvUnFh
— Carmen Vitali (@CarmieV) November 10, 2022
Insane Ryan how they tried to turn his unfortunate situation as a prop for their statement. Glad you spoke up on this matter. https://t.co/XFpMVXAwFe
— Saint (@SaintWah) November 10, 2022
— Mike Donovan (@TheMikeDonovan) November 10, 2022
From Brian Robinson’s agent. To be clear, tonight’s statement came from the upper reaches of the #Commanders’ organization, not the football side. It would be unfair to paint a broad brush over the whole building, and there’s a clear delineation in the tweet below. https://t.co/sq2CyMdTZh
— Mike Garafolo (@MikeGarafolo) November 10, 2022
Ryan is being diplomatic, but there's no way that statement gets released without one and one person only being behind it https://t.co/dzGTxjAFiM
— Adam Beasley (@AdamHBeasley) November 10, 2022
Wow. Brian Robinson's agent. Good for him. https://t.co/f0ZYI4zQ1A
— Grant Paulsen (@granthpaulsen) November 10, 2022
Williams is right to be upset about this. Rather than claim their innocence, the Commanders are exploiting a near-tragedy, which has become one of the NFL’s comeback best stories this season. That comes off as nothing more than an attention-diverting device.
The fact that there are other — even more — significant crimes taking place in Washington doesn’t do anything to exonerate the football team. Using one of those crimes as part of an official statement only makes the Commanders look worse, particularly if it was done without the blessing of the victim.
[Ryan Williams on Twitter]
