Jack Del Rio must have forgotten the team’s regional namesake, Washington, D.C., literally emblazoned the words “Black Lives Matter,” at the doorstep of 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue courtesy, of D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser. Now the NAACP wants to remind him of the harshest penalty available, league removal.
The Washington Commanders’ defensive coach is still feeling the heat from his “dustup” comments on Twitter regarding the January 6th riot at the U.S. Capitol building.
Although Del Rio apologized for publicly admitting his perspective, was fined $100,000 from his ballclub for the action, and deleted his Twitter account for extra measure, the NAACP wants more done.
Some things in this country are not Democrat or Republican. Overthrowing the government is not partisan issue. It doesn’t matter where you stand, everyone should be watching the hearing right now. Truth matters. #January6thCommitteeHearings
— Derrick Johnson (@DerrickNAACP) June 10, 2022
You’re Fired? (Donald Trump voice)
The NAACP wants Jack Del Rio to resign or be fired by the Washington Commanders.
NAACP President Derrick Johnson labeled Del Rio’s comments “offensive and ignorant,” believing that the coach doesn’t belong in the NFL.
“It’s time for Jack Del Rio to resign or be terminated,” Johnson said in a statement. “His comments could not have been more offensive and ignorant. The Jan. 6 insurrection — an attempted coup — was far from a ‘dustup.’
“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.”
If you’re currently defending Jack Del Rio’s right to free speech and you attacked Colin Kaepernick for taking a knee then you actually don’t want free speech. You want obedience.
— Jack Burton (@kelly4NC) June 12, 2022
No Bad Energy Please
Del Rio stoked the ire of many when he took to Twitter and compared the Jan. 6 riots to the Black Lives Matter protests in the wake of the murder of George Floyd in Minneapolis.
“I can look at images on the T.V., people’s livelihoods are being destroyed, businesses are being burned down, no problem,” Del Rio posted. “And then we have a dustup at the Capitol, nothing burned down, and we’re going to make that a major deal?”
No word on whether the team has been in contact with the NAACP, but the Commanders’ head coach, Ron Rivera, definitely disavowed Del Rio’s comments in a statement released Friday. The NAACP released its statement Thursday, the day prior.
Protecting The Voice Of The DMV
Rivera then fined Del Rio $100,000 and said he would donate the sum to the U.S. Capitol Police Memorial Fund.
— Washington Commanders (@Commanders) June 10, 2022
“His comments do not reflect the organization’s views and are extremely hurtful to our great community here in the DMV,” Rivera wrote.
The Commanders cannot afford any more bad press. Thursday, the D.C. City Council let the world know they will not support bringing the team to the city from Prince George’s County, Maryland, the D.C. suburbs.
The Legislative Clapback
D.C. Ward 6 Councilman tweeted the city’s position.
Today I led a majority of the Council in sending a letter to @EleanorNorton thanking & supporting her work to bring the RFK site to District control. We also spoke unequivocally: we will not support an NFL stadium as part of the future of the RFK campus. The debate is done. pic.twitter.com/b9qytUE63G
— Charles Allen (@charlesallen) June 9, 2022
Additionally, on Thursday, the Virginia General Assembly abandoned legislation raised this year intended to lure the Commanders to the state. Del Rio’s remarks reportedly caused several vital lawmakers to pull their support.
Virginia state Sen. Jeremy McPike called Del Rio’s comments “the nail in the coffin” for taxpayer money on 106.7 The Fan’s “Grant & Danny.”
With the NFL in a more inclusive and diversified cultural state of mind and the Commanders attempting to shed its old skin with its new name, Del Rio is feeling the renewed pressure.
