Del Rio’s comments came in response to questions regarding a social media post he made earlier in the week. The 59-year-old veteran soccer coach has been outspoken on Twitter in each of the three seasons he’s coached the leaders, often relating to conservative political issues.
The latest tweet Monday night came in response to a report by the Brookings Institution, a Washington think tank, about the House committee investigating the January 6 attack, which is 11 months and more than 1,000 interviews later. Hearings will begin on Thursday. Del Rio wrote, “I would like to understand the ‘full story’ of why a summer of rioting, looting, arson, and destruction of personal property was not discussed, but this ??? #common sense.”
Del Rio’s comments appear to contradict recent racial justice messages from the NFL and conflict with the way the league and its team have responded to Floyd’s death. In June 2020, Rivera said he would support Players who knelt during the national anthem in protest of racial injustice and police brutality, and in August, the coach canceled a training to hold a team-wide discussion on racial justice after Jacob Blake was shot.
Chief Commander Jason Wright led the team’s recent efforts to promote racial justice and employee diversity. This became a topic in the team’s search for a new stadium site, when Maryland officials pointed to the social change the team could make by retaining its spot in the predominantly black Prince George’s County. A team spokesman on Wednesday did not respond to a request for an interview with Wright.
Virginia legislators are currently considering legislation intended to entice leaders to relocate to Virginia, and one senator noted that Del Rio’s comments have resonated in Richmond. “I just made the deal to cast my vote as a no,” said Senator Jeremy S. McPeak (Democrat Prince William) Tweet Wednesday. “I think what’s burning today is the stadium.” McPike had previously expressed reservations about the proposed stadium legislation and voiced concerns about relocation around the potential Woodbridge site.
His comments angered some fans and commentators, with former corner back DeAngelo Hall Tweet clown emoji In the veteran coach, leaders coach Brian Mitchell called Ron Rivera to handle the situation.
“How [you] You expect anyone on this team to be upfront when you have a guy like that in the defensive coordinator position? ” Mitchell said on his radio show 106.7 The Fan Wednesday.
“Jack Del Rio is an ignorant, ignorant man,” Doug Baldwin, a former recipient in Seattle, wrote on Twitter. “And this is loving and respectful as far as I can describe it.”
Del Rio said he wasn’t concerned that his tweets might offend the players – in part because he doesn’t think “race has anything to do” with the rebellion – or that his Twitter use might affect the team.
“Anything I say or write, I will be comfortable saying or writing it in front of everyone I work with, the players and coaches,” Del Rio said. “I express myself as an American; we have this ability. I love this country, I believe what I believe, and I have said what I want to say. Every now and then, there are some people who are offended by it.”
Rivera declined to discuss del Rio’s tweets with reporters on Wednesday and did not say if he had discussed them with his defensive coordinator. Rivera said he was “not necessarily” concerned that Del Rio’s comments would affect the locker room, which is predominantly black and has many players who supported Floyd’s protests with words and social media posts two years ago. If it becomes a problem, Rivera said, he will deal with it.
“How to deal with it, I won’t share with you guys because it will be a private matter,” he added.
Del Rio said that if any of his players were offended by his comments, he would welcome the discussion.
“I’ve been talking about it with anyone,” he said. “No problem. Anytime. But they are not. [offended]. I’m just expressing myself, and I believe that all of us as Americans have a right to express ourselves, especially if you are respectful. I am respectful. I asked a simple question. truly. Let’s get to it. what did you ask? simple question. Why don’t we look at these things [around the 2020 protests]? “
In an interview with NBC Sports Washington, one of the defense’s most outspoken leaders, Jonathan Allen said that while he was aware of Del Rio’s tweets, they didn’t spark much discussion in the locker room.
“At the end of the day, you can have a difference of opinion and respect each other,” Allen said. “I feel like that’s what our country is all about. That’s what we have. difference Around. So, I mean, personally, I don’t care what he thinks as long as he shows up every day and works hard. That’s what I want from my defensive coordinator.”
Kendall Fuller, the veteran linebacker, said he hadn’t seen Del Rio’s tweet and, after reading it to him, said he had no reaction.
“If I had a reaction or a feeling about something, I would express it with him,” he said.
Fuller said that since the summer of 2020, the players have had ongoing discussions about the race in the locker room.
“It’s definitely something guys still have,” Fuller said. “It may not be as extensive as it was when it all happened. But it’s something you still see, conversations you guys still have. Just like everything in the locker room. I love the NFL locker rooms because everyone is comfortable.” Very. We all know each other, we are all comfortable with each other, everyone is open to listening and listening to everyone.”
“Award-winning social media nerd. Food specialist. Amateur entrepreneur. Pop culture maven. Subtly charming explorer.”