The Washington Commanders fined its coach Jack Del Rio $100,000 for comments calling the Jan. 6, 2021, attack on the U.S. Capitol a “dust up” and comparing it to protests that occurred after the murder of George Floyd in 2020, the team announced Friday.
“After reflecting on the situation and circumstances, I have decided to fine Coach Del Rio $100,000, which the team will donate to the United States Capitol Police Memorial Fund,” Commanders Head Coach Ron Rivera said in a statement.
“I feel strongly that after our conversation this morning, he will have a greater understanding for the impact of his language and the values that our team stands for,” Rivera added.
Del Rio on Monday tweeted criticism of the media attention given to the Jan. 6 attack on the Capitol compared to what he perceived as a lack of coverage of looting and vandalism that occurred during some of the protests against racial injustice in 2020.
Responding to a tweet saying that “we must understand the whole story of January 6th,” Del Rio wrote: “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.”
Del Rio’s remarks came days before the highly-anticipated first public hearing of the House committee investigating the insurrection.
Del Rio elaborated on his tweet at a news conference on Wednesday, saying, “I’m just expressing myself, and I think we all as Americans have the right to express ourselves, especially if you’re being respectful. I’m being respectful.”
“It’s kind of hard for me to say, I can realistically look at it. I see images on the TV, people’s livelihoods are being destroyed, businesses are being burned down, no problem,” he continued. “And then we have a dust up at the Capitol, nothing burned down, and we’re going to make that a major deal.”
Rivera clarified on Friday that Del Rio’s comments “do not reflect the organization’s views and are extremely hurtful to our great community here in the DMV.”
“Coach Del Rio did apologize for his comments on Wednesday and he understands the distinction between the events of that day and peaceful protests, which are a hallmark of our democracy,” Rivera wrote.
Rivera continued, speaking of Del Rio: “He does have the right to voice his opinion as a citizen of the United States and it most certainly is his constitutional right to do so. However, words have consequences and his words hurt a lot of people in our community. I want to make it clear that our organization will not tolerate any equivalency between those who demanded justice in the wake of George Floyd’s murder and the actions of those on January 6 who sought to topple our government.”
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Coach del Rio for suck up of the year. Creepy left winger.
So, as usual, the left DemoRATs narrative of “do as I say, not as I do” are being spawn by Rivera. Rivera is a very bias, politically partisan who is stating the NFL’s organization will not tolerate expressing opinions that differ his.
It’s bulls**t he got fined for speaking the truth that the media should be speaking
When this coach does not see the significant difference, he had better stick to coaching , he has to be better at that than the decisions shown here in this article, attributed to him.
🎯👏👏👏
If January 6th was to topple our government they would have gone in with guns and clubs and did a good job of it. The coaches words were right on. Some snowflakes got their feeling hurt so they fined him $100k. Sounds like he is in a left liberal town and organization that doesn’t like him speaking against their agenda……
And you probably think SC Justice Thomas wife Ginni’s actions to over turn the 2020 election were Freedom of Speech too!
It seems my opinion like the coaches was not along with the snowflake left agenda and hurt their feelings so my opinion was not submitted…
Censoring and intimidation at work..
Why are my opinions not being submitted? Am I being censored??
DUH !!!!!
Coach Del Rio is spot on with his original remarks, it was a dust up compared to the “summer of love.
Just screw free speach !!
Rivera’s actions (against Del Rio truthful and not hateful comments) are Woke BS.
Exactly how did Del Rios opinion hurt anyone? Ashli Babbitt was brutally murdered. The Capitol police officer was her judge, jury and executioner. No. What people did after George Floyd’s death wasn’t “peaceful protests”. The DNC unleashed mob rule on the Republic. Bailed out violent felons, arsonists, murderers. They want to “teat it down”. Their words, not mine. Noone attempted to overthrow the Government on Jan. 6th. And the violence and mayhem came from the left, the FBI.
Just more Fox News Misinformation 😁😁😁
to Hell with a team called the commanders
Pay the coach double , He told the truth. The owner,s you need to pay , $500,000.00 . And you pay it to the Coach.
The NFL is going to run themselves into the GROUND, if they keep mixing politics, & sport. Fining Del-Rio is WRONG, We have this thing called FREEDOM OF SPEECH ! That was his opinion,& Millions of people AGREE with him. They allow players to DISRESPECT the Great Flag of this Country, but free speech is not allowed.
Hey coach Rivera…
You’re a woke moron who hasn’t got a clue.
Hey coach Del Rio…. You are 100% correct. Sadly Amerika is comprised of far too many woke morons like Rivera who spew babble and know only how to be politically correct and the heck with truth & fair play.
Yeah for COACH JACK! His words are exactly right on. that is a ridiculous fine. FREE SPEECH! George Floyd was not a good person. Democrats never get punished. Just like Hillary. She should be in prison along with Hunter Biden for Treason.