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In response to Jack Del Rio’s recent comments on the January 6, 2021 insurrection at the United States Capitol, the NAACP is calling on the Washington Commanders’ defensive coordinator to resign or be fired.
NAACP President Derrick Johnson released a statement calling Del Rio’s comments “offensive and ignorant” and saying he “cannot coach a majority black team while turning his back on the black community.”
mike jones @ByMikeJones
NAACP calling for head of Del Rio. pic.twitter.com/tMhQNQrzmj
During press conference On Wednesday, Del Rio called the Capitol breach “dust.” He was asked about the subject after responding to a tweet equating the insurgency with civil unrest in the summer of 2020 over police violence sparked by the killing of George Floyd by Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin.
Jack Del Rio @coachdelrio
I would love to get “the whole story” about why the summer of riots, looting, fires and destruction of personal property is never discussed, but it is???#CommonSense
Amid criticism of his tweet and press conference comment, Del Rio posted an apology on Twitter:
Jack Del Rio @coachdelrio
In response to his statement on supporting peaceful protests, ESPN’s Kimberley A. Martin posted a screenshot of Del Rio’s comments about not wanting players to protest during the national anthem when he was head coach of the Oakland Raiders in 2016.
Kimberley A. Martin @ByKimberleyA
Jack Del Rio today: “I have fully supported all peaceful protests in America.”
Also, Jack Del Rio: pic.twitter.com/hZKNRJLe07
Del Rio has a history of stirring up controversy on social media. He has previously share a fake photo of New York Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez on Twitter in 2020.
According to Pro Football Talk’s Mike Florio, COs had no comment in response to Del Rio’s original tweet from Monday.
The House committee investigating the Jan. 6 Capitol riot is scheduled to hold its first public hearings on Thursday. This will be the first time the committee has released “newly uncovered evidence” uncovered during its investigation.
There is no indication that commanders are considering changing defensive coordinators.
Del Rio is entering his third season under Ron Rivera’s coaching staff. The 59-year-old was hired in January 2020. He missed the previous two seasons after being let go by the Raiders following a 6-10 record in 2017.