Former Raiders Coach Jack Del Rio Defends Controversial Tweet

Former Oakland Raiders head coach Jack Del Rio is under the spotlight after defending a controversial tweet to the media Wednesday, doubling down by comparing the George Floyd protests to the Jan. 6th Capitol Insurrection.

Del Rio, currently the defensive coordinator for the Washington Commanders, responded to political personality Norm Eisen’s tweet regarding an article on the January 6th Insurrection, asking for “the whole story” about the George Floyd protests.

“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???” Del Rio tweeted out Monday.

The controversial tweet went viral in the last 48 hours as reporters asked the defensive coach about his remark and the discussions he’s had with Commanders players regarding it.

“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 dust up at the Capitol, nothing burned down, and we’re going to make that a major deal,” Del Rio told the media Wednesday.

The ill-advised comparison has generated ample backlash as players and personalities alike have spoken out against the Commanders coach.

Since his comments Wednesday morning, Del Rio and the Commanders organization have worked quickly to do damage control, issuing a statement via the coach’s Twitter account.

“I made comments earlier today in referencing the attack that took place in the United States Capitol on January 6, 2021,” Del Rio’s statement read. “Referencing that situation as a dust-up was irresponsible and negligent and I am sorry. 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.”

Del Rio’s comments are only the latest controversy to come out of Washington’s camp after the NFL started a probe of the Washington team and its’ owner Daniel Snyder for sexual misconduct allegations in February. Rep. Raja Krishnamoorthi (D-Ill.) also sent a 20-page letter to the Federal Trade Commission accusing the team of engaging in “a troubling, long-running, and potentially unlawful pattern of financial conduct that victimized thousands of team fans and the National Football League.”

The former Raiders coach was with the franchise in Oakland from 2015 to 2017, leading them to a 12-4 record in the 2016 season and their first playoff berth since 2002.

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