Sep 16, 2021; Landover, Maryland, USA; Washington Football Team defensive coordinator Jack Del Rio looks on before a game against the New York Giants at FedExField. Mandatory Credit: Brad Mills-USA TODAY Sports
NFLBy Sean Keeley on

Washington Commanders defensive coordinator Jack Del Rio kicked up a firestorm on Tuesday when he responded to a tweet about the January 6 committee public hearings by saying he’d love to hear “the whole story “ about “why the summer of riots, looting, burning and the destruction of personal property is never discussed,” even though that has been discussed many times for years now.

He doubled down on those comments Wednesday, referring to the violent Capitol insurrection, which directly led to the death of seven people, as a “dustup,” drawing the ire of many around the NFL world and Washington community.

“Why are we not looking into those things — if we’re going to talk about it — why are we not looking into those things?” Del Rio said to reporters on Wednesday. “I can look at images on the TV, people’s livelihoods are being destroyed, businesses are being burned down, no problem. And then we have a dustup at the Capitol, nothing burned down, and we’re going to make that a major deal. I just think it’s kind of two standards, 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.”

It appears that someone in the Commanders’ organization, if not the NFL itself, let Del Rio know that his comments were out of line with reality and he tweeted an apology on Wednesday afternoon.

https://twitter.com/coachdelrio/status/1534644933457547269

“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,” Del Rio said in a statement. “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 protests in America. I love, respect, and support all my fellow coaches, players, and staff that I work with and respect their views and opinions.”

The House committee investigating the January 6, 2021 insurrection will hold its first public hearing Thursday, the first of six that are expected to include “previously unseen material” discovered during their 10-month investigation into the violent day.

Del Rio’s apology might have brought an end, for now, to the controversy around his comments. The NFL world certainly had a strong reaction after reading it.

We’ll see if the NFL or Commanders make any comment about this or, more likely, just kinda hope it goes away.

[Jack Del Rio]

About Sean Keeley

Along with writing for Awful Announcing and The Comeback, Sean is the Editorial Strategy Director for Comeback Media. Previously, he created the Syracuse blog Troy Nunes Is An Absolute Magician and wrote 'How To Grow An Orange: The Right Way to Brainwash Your Child Into Rooting for Syracuse.' He has also written non-Syracuse-related things for SB Nation, Curbed, and other outlets. He currently lives in Seattle where he is complaining about bagels. Send tips/comments/complaints to sean@thecomeback.com.

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