The president of the NAACP called for Washington Commanders defensive coordinator Jack Del Rio to “resign or be terminated” Thursday for referring to the Jan. 6, 2021, attack on the U.S. Capitol as a “dust-up.”
Derrick Johnson said in a statement that Del Rio had no place coaching Black players after the comment. Del Rio made the “dust-up” remark in an effort to defend his earlier tweet that compared Jan. 6 to the protests that happened after George Floyd’s murder. Hours later, Del Rio apologized following a wave of backlash from politicians, athletes and fans.
“It’s time for Jack Del Rio to resign or be terminated,” Johnson said. “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.”
Del Rio said he was not concerned his tweet would alienate his players, the majority of whom are Black. He told reporters that he welcomed any discussion with them about the subjects and said he tweeted nothing he wouldn’t feel comfortable saying around them.
“I express myself as an American,” Del Rio said. “We have that ability. I love this country. I believe what I believe and I’ve said what I want to say. Every now and then, there are some people that get offended by it.”
In his apology, Del Rio said referring to Jan. 6 as a “dust-up” was “irresponsible and negligent.”
Commanders wide receiver Kelvin Harmon liked a tweet from Seattle Seahawks safety Quandre Diggs, who tweeted a clown emoji in response to a video of Del Rio’s comments. Seahawks defensive lineman Shelby Harris, who played for Del Rio in Oakland, tweeted: “I’m not surprised he would say this.”
The Commanders declined to comment when asked about Johnson’s call for Del Rio’s resignation.
• Matthew Paras can be reached at mparas@washingtontimes.com.
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