Tag: Jack Del Rio

Washington Commanders fine Jack Del Rio $100k for insurrection comments

The Washington Commanders fined Jack Del Rio $100,000 for his insurrection comments.

On Friday, per the team, Washington Commanders head coach Ron Rivera announced that defensive coordinator Jack Del Rio would be fined $100,000 for his recent comments in which Del Rio attempted to create a false equivalency between the mostly peaceful protests in the wake of George Floyd’s murder, and the actions of several supporters of former President Donald Trump, who stormed the Capitol Building on January 6, 2021.

Rivera’s statement:

In a response to a recent Brookings Institute article on the hearings, Del Rio had an… interesting response.

When asked if his players would respond negatively to his views, Del Rio had this to say (per Ben Standig of The Athletic:

The insurrection was far more than a “dust-up,” and the current hearings are bringing more facts to light in that regard.

Del Rio eventually apologized for his comments, but that wasn’t enough for Maryland politicians, who seem to have taken what Del Rio said, matched with all the ways in which this franchise has embarrassed itself in recent years, and tabled any hope of a new Commanders stadium.

Jack Del Rio’s comments could be “nail in the coffin” for Commanders’ stadium bill

Virginia Senator Jeremy McPike appeared on Washington D.C.’s “Grant and Danny Show” on Wednesday, and laid it all out for everybody to hear.

“If that was the case and it was just him, but it’s not,” McPike said. “And you guys have covered this and it is plenty of other stuff going on unfortunately in the organization that it creates a lot of questions. Not only that, as you remember the last time we talked I said my number one issue is traffic and transportation. I have not heard anything about how they’re gonna deal with it. And so I said I’d listen.

“I met with (Commanders President) Jason Wright after we talked on the show last time. I met with him last week. And frankly, I was also scheduled to sit down with him tomorrow, but that’s off. I’m not going. It’s just done. I mean there’s too much stuff going on in the organization, too many unanswered questions. I mean, they’ve got to get it together.

“I’m a lifelong fan. I love, love seeing football, and good football, and I said last time, I’ll say it again: I believe in Ron and I think they’re gonna have a good season, but dang, I mean how many distractions can you put on the table at once?”

In a global sense, McPike believed that the franchise has become too toxic for any such endorsement to be considered.

“I think at this point, I don’t think there ever will be a vote. I think they’re gonna be counting heads on the numbers, the number of people voting yes or no, and my guess is the vote’s probably off the table.

“I think this is the nail in the coffin. I think you’re gonna see more legislators now that have already been cooling off to it just shake their heads and walk away. I think that’s where we’re at now.”

The NAACP has called for the Commanders to fire Del Rio.

“It is time for Jack Del Rio to resign or be terminated,” NAACP President Derrick Johnson said in a statement Thursday. “His comments could not have been more offensive and ignorant. The January 6th insurrection — an attempted coup — was far from a ‘dust-up.’ Each day we learn more and more on just how close our democracy came to autocracy. Downplaying the insurrection by comparing it to nationwide protests, which were in response to a public lynching, is twisted. You can’t coach a majority Black team while turning your back on the Black community. It’s time for you to pack up and step off the field.”

The Fritz Pollard Alliance, which works with the NFL to promote minority hiring, also released a statement from President Rod Graves.

Jack Del Rio’s initial comments regarding the protests of supporters for Black Lives Matter go against the values of the Fritz Pollard Alliance and what the NFL should stand for. The FPA has been working with the NFL to bring about better opportunities and an equitable system for all. The first step to creating progress is to recognize that we’ve been operating on an un-level playing field.

Last season, the Commanders finished 27th in Defensive DVOA despite a roster that was stacked from front to back. As to whether Del Rio will learn from this as Rivera hopes, history is not encouraging.

Jack Del Rio fined $100K after Capitol insurrection ‘dust-up’ remarks

Ron Rivera is fining defensive coordinator Jack Del Rio $100,000 for calling the Jan. 6, 2021 Capitol insurrection a “dust-up”.

Washington Commanders head coach Ron Rivera is fining defensive coordinator Jack Del Rio $100,000 for comments made earlier this week in which he referred to the Jan. 6 Capitol insurrection as a “dust-up”.

“This morning I met with Coach Del Rio to express how disappointed I am in his comments on Wednesday,” Rivera said in a statement tweeted by the Commanders. “His comments do not reflect the organization’s views and are extremely hurtful to our great community here in the DMV. As we saw last night in the hearings, what happened on the Capitol on January 6, 2021 was an act of domestic terrorism. A group of citizens attempted to overturn the results of a free and fair election, and as a result, lives were lost and the Capitol building was damaged.”

“I can look at images on the TV, people’s livelihoods are being destroyed, businesses are being burned down, no problem,” Del Rio said in a Wednesday press conference. “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 apologized for his comments later that day, but it wasn’t clear if the Commanders organization would take any action against him for the statement.

Rivera said Del Rio’s $100,000 fine will be donated to the United States Capitol Police Memorial Fund.

Jack Del Rio’s comments could be “nail in the coffin” for Commanders’ stadium bill

The Washington Commanders want a new stadium. Politicians are telling them that their toxic environment will stand in the way of that process.

In May, it was reported that the Washington Commanders paid $100 million for approximately 200 acres in Virginia, a move that is believed to be the first step in a new stadium for the team.

Per ESPN’s John Keim, the plans for the land are comprehensive.

According to a source, their plans include a 60,000-seat domed stadium — so it can be used throughout the year — as well as: the team’s practice facility; an amphitheater that seats between 15,000 and 20,000; a small indoor music arena; high-end retail shops; bars and restaurants and residential living. The roof would be translucent and the stadium’s facade could change colors — it would be white during the day and, for example, burgundy at night.

The Commanders currently play their home games at FedEx Field in Landover, Maryland, which opened in 1997. The state of Maryland has said that it would commit $400 million to develop the land around FedEx Field, and the Commanders — owned by Daniel Snyder — are keeping their options open.

But after so many negative situations in which the Commanders, former Washington Football Team, and former Washington Redskins have created and forwarded hostile work environment’s are starting to complicate the process.

Other NFL owners might finally be fed up with Daniel Snyder

Virginia Senator Jeremy McPike appeared on Washington D.C.’s “Grant and Danny Show” on Monday, after Commanders defensive coordinator Jack Del Rio made press conference comments defending his tweets in which he attempted to create a false equivalency between protests in the wake of police brutality against people of color, and the January 6, 2021 riots at the Capitol building. Del Rio called the insurrection a “dust-up,” for which he later had to apologize.

“If that was the case and it was just him, but it’s not,” McPike said. “And you guys have covered this and it is plenty of other stuff going on unfortunately in the organization that it creates a lot of questions. Not only that, as you remember the last time we talked I said my number one issue is traffic and transportation. I have not heard anything about how they’re gonna deal with it. And so I said I’d listen.

“I met with (Commanders President) Jason Wright after we talked on the show last time. I met with him last week. And frankly, I was also scheduled to sit down with him tomorrow, but that’s off. I’m not going. It’s just done. I mean there’s too much stuff going on in the organization, too many unanswered questions. I mean, they’ve got to get it together.

“I’m a lifelong fan. I love, love seeing football, and good football, and I said last time, I’ll say it again: I believe in Ron and I think they’re gonna have a good season, but dang, I mean how many distractions can you put on the table at once?”

In a global sense, McPike believed that the franchise has become too toxic for any such endorsement to be considered.

“I think at this point, I don’t think there ever will be a vote. I think they’re gonna be counting heads on the numbers, the number of people voting yes or no, and my guess is the vote’s probably off the table.

“I think this is the nail in the coffin. I think you’re gonna see more legislators now that have already been cooling off to it just shake their heads and walk away. I think that’s where we’re at now.”

As generally happens in life, the Commanders have done all of the fooling around, and it now appears that the inevitable finding out has come to pass.

Jack Del Rio offered a carefully crafted apology after his bigoted Jan. 6 ‘dust-up’ rant

Jack Del Rio received a ton of warranted backlash for his tirade.

It wasn’t the best Wednesday for Jack Del Rio.

In a press conference, the Washington Commanders defensive coordinator offered up a word-salad rant regarding the January 6, 2020 attempted insurrection at the U.S. Capitol.

Among the more notable tidbits, Del Rio downplayed that riot, which resulted in multiple deaths, calling it a “dust-up at the Capitol.” At the same time, he denounced widespread protests against police brutality around the U.S. Those were partly in reaction to George Floyd’s murder at the hands of former Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin. Chauvin was convicted for his crimes in April 2021 and sentenced to 22 years in prison.

Here’s part of what For The Win’s Chris Korman had to say about Del Rio’s thoughtless comments on the potential insurrection:

The failed insurrection, meanwhile, was a political plot meant to prevent the installation of a new president. It was fomented by the defeated president and his supporters based on a series of lies meant to undermine the election process that has been the foundation of this country since its founding. It did, in fact, cause property damage, in case that sort of thing really matters to you.

It also left people dead. Four of the rioters died on the day of the attack. One police officer was attacked and died of a stroke. Four others died by suicide in the wake of the violence.

Some dust-up.

After receiving a ton of warranted backlash for his tirade, Del Rio apologized in a Twitter post that reads like it was copy-pasted from the Commanders’ public relations:

After his insensitive commentary, what’s next for Del Rio is unclear. But it’s probably already too late for an apology. The damage is done.

Read For The Win’s column in reaction to Del Rio’s comments here.

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Jack Del Rio apologizes for calling January 6th a “dust-up”

Washington Commanders defensive coordinator Jack Del Rio issued a statement apologizing for calling January 6th a “dust-up.”

Washington Commanders defensive coordinator Jack Del Rio apologized on Wednesday afternoon for referring to the attack that occurred at the U.S. Capitol on January 6, 2021 as a “dust-up.” In a statement released on social media, Del Rio stated that “[r]eferencing that situation as a dust-up was irresponsible and negligent and I am sorry.”

Earlier this week, Del Rio drew criticism when attempted to draw comparisons between the nationwide protests during the summer of 2020 after the death of George Floyd while in police custody, and the events of January 6th:

Del Rio was asked about that tweet during a session with the media on Wednesday, when he referred to the situation on January 6th as a “dust-up.” That prompted swift criticism from social media. As outlined by our own Doug Farrar, the events of January 6th caused a number of Americans to lose their lives, and has resulted in numerous criminal investigations, charges and prosecutions:

At least seven people died as a result of the riots, according to a bipartisan Senate report. Four were rioters. Officer Brian D. Sicknick of the Capitol Police was assaulted by the mob. Officers Jeffery Smith and Howard S. Liebengood died by suicide shortly after the attacks.

Per the Department of Justice:

  • More than 225 defendants have been charged with assaulting, resisting, or impeding officers or employees, including over 75 individuals who have been charged with using a deadly or dangerous weapon or causing serious bodily injury to an officer.
  • Approximately 140 police officers were assaulted Jan. 6 at the Capitol including about 80 U.S. Capitol Police and about 60 from the Metropolitan Police Department.
  • Approximately 10 individuals have been arrested on a series of charges that relate to assaulting a member of the media, or destroying their equipment, on Jan. 6.
  • Approximately 640 defendants have been charged with entering or remaining in a restricted federal building or grounds.
  • Over 75 defendants have been charged with entering a restricted area with a dangerous or deadly weapon.
  • More than 45 defendants have been charged with destruction of government property, and over 30 defendants have been charged with theft of government property.
  • At least 275 defendants have been charged with corruptly obstructing, influencing, or impeding an official proceeding, or attempting to do so.
  • Approximately 40 defendants have been charged with conspiracy, either: (a) conspiracy to obstruct a congressional proceeding, (b) conspiracy to obstruct law enforcement during a civil disorder, (c) conspiracy to injure an officer, or (d) some combination of the three.

Del Rio is certainly entitled to his opinions, and others are entitled to highlight for him just what happened on January 6th.

Jack Del Rio’s brain is full of poison, and he’d like you to have some

Jack Del Rio calling the insurrection a ‘dust-up’ makes a mockery of the American ideals he pretends to honor.

There’s not much that needs to be said about Jack Del Rio today.

If you somehow missed it, the Washington Commanders defensive coordinator put on his bravest, most patriotic face and stood up for the time-honored American value of publicly discussing an issue you’ve applied no rigorous thought to, but dang, man, you’ve felt some things deep in your gut — like a cold Budweiser on a hot day — and that’s good enough!

In this instance, Del Rio shared his perspective on the would-be insurrection of Jan. 6, 2021. He called this event, which attempted to overthrow the United States government and resulted in death and trauma, a “dust-up.”

Most people saw this as the racist dog whistle it was and excoriated Del Rio on Twitter. If you’re here simply because you want to laugh at this pathetic failure of logic, scroll down.

If you’ve come for a different reason (one other than “let’s find this author’s email and own a lib!”) then we can break this down quickly.

Del Rio is comparing the insurrection to years of protests held across the country in response to the deaths of Black men at the hands of police. It is true that in some of those instances buildings were burned — among them a CVS in Baltimore after the death of Freddie Gray. I walked by it the next day, thinking of the pain caused to a giant corporation and its insurance company.

Actually, no, I walked by and talked to people nearby, and they told me stories of years upon years of unfair treatment by police. Treatment that robbed them of their freedom and anything approaching the right to pursue happiness. Their accounts have since been corroborated by investigations into that police corruption, which subsequently became books and, most recently, a series on HBO.

The failed insurrection, meanwhile, was a political plot meant to prevent the installation of a new president. It was fomented by the defeated president and his supporters based on a series of lies meant to undermine the election process that has been the foundation of this country since its founding. It did, in fact, cause property damage, in case that sort of thing really matters to you.

It also left people dead. Four of the rioters died on the day of the attack. One police officer was attacked and died of a stroke. Four others died by suicide in the wake of the violence.

Some dust-up.

Del Rio trying to pin up his awful opinions with some appeal to civility is disgusting  — and not only because the civility he’s talking about has largely been denied to the Black people he’s pointing his fingers at. What hurts the most about it is that men like Del Rio keep getting jobs in the Good Old Boy world of football using precisely this kind of logic, while Black coaches have to work five times as hard just to get a sliver of a chance.

He’s just being reasonable. He’s just encouraging dialogue. This is what leaders do! He’s a fine, upstanding man, unafraid to say what he means and mean what he says!

Except that Del Rio defending the Jan. 6 insurrectionists is the equivalent of him going over to the NFL offices and fighting everyone he sees because he no longer wants to believe he’s 93-94 with a single measly playoff win in 12 seasons as a head coach.

It means he doesn’t and won’t see anything clearly anytime soon. He’s gone. And while this should cost him his job, it’s not really going to matter — most of his ilk know to stay quiet. Why lash out when you have so much of the power?

Anyway, I promised you some good tweets. Here they are.

Washington Commanders DC Jack Del Rio defends tweets, refers to Jan. 6 insurrection as a “dust-up”

Washington Commanders defensive coordinator Jack Del Rio has caused his share of distractions with his political views.

As the congressional committee investigating the January 6, 2021 attack on the Capitol building prepares to hold public hearings this week, Washington Commanders defensive coordinator Jack Del Rio — who has been rather outspoken regarding his political views on social media — had a hearing of his own on the subject.

In a response to a recent Brookings Institute article on the hearings, Del Rio had an… interesting response.

Presumably, Del Rio is referring to the protests and demands for social justice in the wake of George Floyd’s death, or any number of other dog whistles.

When asked if his players would respond negatively to his views, Del Rio had this to say (per Ben Standig of The Athletic:

Del Rio obviously has the right to say whatever he wants, but he is tied in his own point about two standards. The insurrection was far more than a “dust-up,” and just because nothing burned down doesn’t mean that wasn’t the plan.

From USA Today’s coverage:

On the night of Jan. 5, 2021, a masked person wearing a hoodie and a pair of expensive Nikes planted pipe bombs outside the Capitol Hill headquarters of the nation’s two major political parties: the Democratic National Committee and the Republican National Committee.

“These pipe bombs were viable devices that could have been detonated, resulting in serious injury or death,” Steven D’Antuono, the assistant director in charge at the FBI’s Washington field office, said in a message to the public issued last year.

Police found the bombs on the afternoon of Jan. 6, at the same time Capitol Police was calling for backup as officers struggled to hold off the increasingly violent rioters on the west side of the Capitol Building.

At least seven people died as a result of the riots, according to a bipartisan Senate report. Four were rioters. Officer Brian D. Sicknick of the Capitol Police was assaulted by the mob. Officers Jeffery Smith and Howard S. Liebengood died by suicide shortly after the attacks.

Per the Department of Justice:

  • More than 225 defendants have been charged with assaulting, resisting, or impeding officers or employees, including over 75 individuals who have been charged with using a deadly or dangerous weapon or causing serious bodily injury to an officer.
  • Approximately 140 police officers were assaulted Jan. 6 at the Capitol including about 80 U.S. Capitol Police and about 60 from the Metropolitan Police Department. 
  • Approximately 10 individuals have been arrested on a series of charges that relate to assaulting a member of the media, or destroying their equipment, on Jan. 6.
  • Approximately 640 defendants have been charged with entering or remaining in a restricted federal building or grounds.
  • Over 75 defendants have been charged with entering a restricted area with a dangerous or deadly weapon.
  • More than 45 defendants have been charged with destruction of government property, and over 30 defendants have been charged with theft of government property.
  • At least 275 defendants have been charged with corruptly obstructing, influencing, or impeding an official proceeding, or attempting to do so.
  • Approximately 40 defendants have been charged with conspiracy, either: (a) conspiracy to obstruct a congressional proceeding, (b) conspiracy to obstruct law enforcement during a civil disorder, (c) conspiracy to injure an officer, or (d) some combination of the three.

That’s a bit more than a “dust-up.” It’s also possible that Del Rio’s players, especially Del Rio’s Black players, haven’t discussed this with him because they know exactly what the response would be.

Commanders head coach Ron Rivera was asked about Del Rio’s stances, and he would have preferred to leave the subject alone.

Well, the toothpaste is out of the tube there.

We’re not saying that Del Rio should lose his job over his political views. But given the level of distraction here, and adding in that the Commanders ranked 27th in Defensive DVOA last season with a defense stacked from front to back… it’s reasonable to wonder whether it’s worth the headaches.

Ravens hosting tribute for 2000 Super Bowl-winning team

The Ravens announced an event as a tribute to their 2000 Super Bowl-winning team

The Baltimore Ravens have had numerous magical seasons throughout their 26-year history. The relatively young franchise played their first game in 1996 and won a championship just a few years later. Now, the team has an upcoming event will look to pay tribute to their team from the 2000-2001 season in which they won Super Bowl XXXV.

The Ravens announced “A Championship Celebration,” a public ticketed event that looks to honor members from the Ravens’ 2000-01 Super Bowl winning team. Guests from the Super Bowl XXXV team scheduled to make an appearance include Brian Billick, Ray Lewis, Shannon Sharpe, Rod Woodson, Tony Siragusa, Trent Dilfer, Jamal Lewis, and others. Stories and unseen footage from the season and surprise guest appearances will also take place.

Those in attendance will have photo opportunities with the 2000 Lombardi Trophy and Lamar Hunt Trophy. They will also receive a custom Super Bowl XXXV pennant. The event will be held on Monday, May 23, 2022 at the Joseph Meyerhoff Symphony Hall in downtown Baltimore.

Ticket information can be found here.

Washington announces multiple coaching moves

Washington promotes several coaches Tuesday, including the son of Jack Del Rio and the nephew of Ron Rivera.

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On the first day of the 2022 NFL combine, the Washington Commanders announced some coaching moves.

No, head coach Ron Rivera didn’t fire defensive coordinator Jack Del Rio. However, a Del Rio was involved in the coaching news Tuesday, as Jack’s son, Luke, was promoted from a quality control coach to assistant quarterbacks coach.

The younger Del Rio joined Washington’s staff as an offensive quality control coach in 2020 under Rivera. A former college quarterback at Florida, Del Rio spent time at three different colleges before ending his collegiate career with the Gators.

A Rivera was also involved in Washington’s moves Tuesday. Rivera’s nephew, Vincent, was promoted from a defensive quality control coach to assistant linebackers coach. Like his uncle, Rivera played his college football at California. The 2022 season will be Rivera’s third in Washington. He spent three seasons in Carolina before following his uncle to Washington.

Offensive quality control coach Todd Storm was promoted to tight ends coach. With Pete Hoener’s recent retirement, Washington hired veteran coach Juan Castillo to replace him. Now, Storm has the opportunity to work under the respected Castillo. Storm also followed Rivera to Washington from Carolina.

Coaching intern Cristian Garcia was promoted from coaching intern to defensive quality control.

Rivera always likes to have a position coach and an assistant position coach. It’s a way for Rivera to mentor young coaches and also have them ready should the position coach take a job elsewhere.

 

Ron Rivera doesn’t anticipate any staff changes for 2022

Ron Rivera doesn’t anticipate any staff changes.

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Many Washington fans hoped coach Ron Rivera would fire defensive coordinator Jack Del Rio after the 2021 season. Washington’s defense took steps back after a top-five performance in 2020, in which Washington won the NFC East.

Well, it didn’t take Rivera long to squash the hopes of those who’d like to see a new defensive boss in 2022.

In his postgame presser after the win over the Giants, Rivera was asked about potential staff changes after the season, and here’s his response:

“No, I don’t anticipate doing anything other than the things that we need to do to go forward,” Rivera responded.

Remember, last week, reporters asked Del Rio if he was hopeful of returning as Washington’s defensive coordinator in 2022, and he was confident in his return.

As for Rivera, what did you expect him to say? Do you think he’s going to tell the media after a game he’s going to make any type of coaching changes? Of course not. But Rivera is a loyal guy, and most of these assistants have been with him for years. When he says you shouldn’t anticipate any staff changes, he’s probably right.

Neither of Washington’s coordinators should be fired at this time. Give them one more season. Offensive coordinator Scott Turner really has done an excellent job considering he still doesn’t have a stable quarterback position and has had to deal with numerous injuries.

Is Turner perfect? No, but he deserves the opportunity to work with a talented passer of his choosing.

As for Del Rio, Washington’s defense improved in the second half until COVID-19 wreaked havoc late. The biggest issue with Del Rio is why it took so long to move Landon Collins in the box? Also, why the lack of production from Chase Young and Montez Sweat? Those defensive ends are far too talented to combine for 6.5 sacks in 19 total games.

Perhaps Washington makes some changes at position coach. Defensive line coach Sam Mills III has been with Rivera since he started in Carolina. It’s fair to ask why some on the defensive line regressed in 2021.

But I wouldn’t expect any staff changes this offseason unless Washington loses a coach to another team. Remember, defensive backs coach Chris Harris interviewed for Philadelphia’s defensive coordinator position last offseason.