Posted on 06/10/2022 2:30:49 PM PDT by KevinB
Washington Commanders defensive coordinator Jack Del Rio has been fined $100,000 by the team for his comments about protests in the wake of the police killing of George Floyd and the Jan. 6 insurrection at the U.S. Capitol.
Coach Ron Rivera announced the fine in a statement Friday after meeting with Del Rio earlier in the day. He said Del Rio’s statements were hurtful to members of the local community and did not reflect the views of the organization.
Asked Wednesday about a social media post he made earlier in the week, Del Rio downplayed the deadly insurrection and questioned why the protests in the summer of 2020 after Floyd’s death were not receiving the same scrutiny. Del Rio called the Jan. 6, 2021, riot “a dust-up at the Capitol,” which he later apologized for.
“He understands the distinction between the events of that dark day and peaceful protests, which are a hallmark of our democracy,” Rivera said in the statement, adding that Del Rio had a constitutional right to voice his opinion. “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 Jan. 6 who sought to topple our government.”
Rivera said he feels strongly after their conversation that Del Rio “will have a greater understanding for the impact of his language and the values that our team stands for.” He said the money will be donated to the United States Capitol Police Memorial Fund.
Del Rio, 59, is going into his third season running Washington’s defense on Rivera’s staff and in that time has shared his conservative political views on social media numerous times. A Twitter post Monday night prompted questions to Del Rio after an offseason workout, including whether he was concerned about how his thoughts might go over with players, the majority of whom are Black.
“If they are and they want to talk about it, I’d talk about it with anybody,” Del Rio said. “No problem. At any time. But they’re not. I’m just expressing myself and I think we all as Americans have a right to express ourselves, especially if you’re being respectful. I’m being respectful.”
While the Commanders players asked about Del Rio’s remarks declined comment or brushed off their significance in the locker room, multiple Virginia lawmakers expressed concern about the team’s latest in a long line of offseason issues. On Thursday, Virginia’s legislature abandoned a bill that would have given the NFL club tax incentives to build a stadium in the state.
Del Rio’s comments were prompted by preparations for this week’s hearings by a House committee on the Jan. 6 riot. Lawmakers have presented evidence that former president Donald Trump knew he had lost the 2020 election but clung to his claims of election fraud and summoned the violent mob.
How can anyone with a functioning brain coexist with those who describe Jan. 6 as a dark day and burn, loot murder as peaceful protests? The mind boggles.
I would resign in protest!
1984, we are here.
The good men must have stood aside, for evil has indeed triumphed.
The Washington Comrades will not have anyone speaking the truth!
I haven’t watched an NFL game since that afro-headed wierdo first took a knee, with one exception: The 2019 NFL playoff game between the Saints and the Rams (the Non-Call game).
He spoke his mind and the truth - he must be fined by nazi libtard fascist censors for his transgressions 🤪
RIP Freedom of Speech....
He’s 59 y/o and worth $85 million. I’d quit forever.
Head Coach is a very stressful job.
Sue them for violating his 1st Amendment rights.
Any mortal blow to the NFL.
Exactly!
I double dog dare you to. 😂🙌. I threw in towel several years ago on major sports.
I think he should hit them with a massive law suit.
He said the truth, and that’s his first amendment right.
If their team can’t handle the truth, they deserve to make
a big payout.
He has a contract. Hit them up for the $100k and some form
of punitive, and to be paid to the end of his contract.
An assistant coach makes that much money that he can be fined $100,000?
Don’t pay the fine and sue them for violating your 1st amendment rights. If they fire you sue them for that too. I could sit on my fuzzy woogats a long time with 85 mil in the bank. While I’m sitting I might be fishing too. F-them!
There is no 1A right to free speech in a private setting. 1A and all the other rights set forth in the Bill of Rights restricts only government action.
Del Rio is their last hope of winning a few games. When Coach Gibbs, John Riggins and Art Monk left it was over for the Redskins.
Black Lives Matter or else!
Two words- Deshuan Watson!
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