Washington Commanders defensive coordinator Jack Del Rio, shown Sept. 24, 2017, said his recent comments were "irresponsible" and "negligent." File Photo by Kevin Dietsch/UPI |
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June 8 (UPI) -- Washington Commanders defensive coordinator Jack Del Rio apologized Wednesday for calling the deadly Jan. 6, 2021, insurrection at the U.S. Capitol a "dustup."
"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 dustup 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."
On Monday, Del Rio tweeted in response to a Twitter post about upcoming hearings on the Jan. 6 attacks: "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."
Before he offered an apology on Twitter, Del Rio told reporters Wednesday that his tweet from Monday was just asking a question about the events in the spring and summer of 2020 that occurred after George Floyd's death.
"Why are we not looking into those things -- if we're going to talk about it -- why are we not looking into those things? I can look at images on the TV, people's livelihoods are being destroyed, businesses are being burned down, no problem," Del Rio said. "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."
Commanders head coach Ron Rivera declined to reveal whether he has spoken with Del Rio about his tweets.
"I'm not going to talk about stuff that I talk to my coaches about, especially stuff that's off the field and not pertaining to football," Rivera said. "Everybody's entitled to their opinion, though.
"If it ever becomes an issue or a situation, we'll have that discussion. Right now, it's something that I will deal with when it comes up."
The House committee investigating the Jan. 6 insurrection is set to hold its first public hearing Thursday. The six scheduled hearings, which are expected to run through late June, will mark the first time the committee discloses "previously unseen material" about what it has found over the course of its 10-month investigation.
