Jack Del Rio apologizes for calling Jan. 6 riots ‘dust-up’

Jack Del Rio has apologized for comments he made that referred to the Jan. 6 Capitol riots as a “dust-up”.

Del Rio, currently the defensive coordinator for the Washington Commanders, issued a statement on Twitter backtracking on earlier remarks.

“I made comments earlier today in referencing the attack that took place on the United States Capitol on January 6,2021. Referencing that situation as a dust-up was irresponsible and negligent and I am sorry,” he wrote.

“I stand by my comments condemning violence in communities across the country. I say that while also expressing my support as an American citizen for peaceful protest in our country. I have fully supported all peaceful protests in America. I love, respect, and support all my fellow coaches, players, and staff that I work with and respect their views and opinions.”

Earlier this week, the 59-year-old Del Rio sent a tweet responding to a story about the Jan. 6 commission.

“Would love to understand ‘the whole story’ about why the summer of riots, looting, burning and the destruction of personal property is never discussed but this is??? #CommonSense,” he tweeted about the riots that took place across America in the wake of the death of George Floyd in 2020.

Asked about the tweet by reporters on Wednesday, he doubled down.

“Why are we not looking into those things — if we’re going to talk about it — why are we not looking into those things?” Del Rio said. “I can look at images on the TV, people’s livelihoods are being destroyed, businesses are being burned down, no problem. And then we have a dust-up at the Capitol, nothing burned down, and we’re going to make that a major deal. I just think it’s kind of two standards, and if we apply the same standard and we’re going to be reasonable with each other, let’s have a discussion. That’s all it was. Let’s have a discussion.”