Washington Commanders Coach: It Was Irresponsible to Call Jan. 6 Riot a ‘Dust-Up’
Jack Del Rio told reporters that the Capitol riot was nothing compared to the burning and looting at Black Lives Matter protests.

Brad Mills/USA TODAY Sports
Jack Del Rio, the 59-year-old defensive coordinator of the Washington Commanders, has come under fire for telling reporters that the Jan. 6 Capitol riot was a mere “dust-up” in comparison to Black Lives Matter protests in the wake of the murder of George Floyd in 2020. “I can look at images on the TV [of the Floyd protests]—people’s livelihoods are being destroyed. Businesses are being burned down. No problem,” he said. “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.” Hours later, Del Rio issued a statement on Twitter expressing his regret for downplaying the violent attack on the U.S. Capitol. “Referencing that situation as a dust-up was irresponsible and negligent and I am sorry,” he said. But the coach added he still stands by his “comments condemning violence in communities across the county. I say that while also expressing my support as an American citizen for peaceful protest in our country.”
Washington Commanders Defensive Coordinator Jack Del Rio says there are “two standards” between Black Lives Matter protests and January 6th:
— The Recount (@therecount) June 8, 2022
“We have a dust-up at the Capitol, nothing burned down, and we’re gonna make that a major deal.” pic.twitter.com/Nd5pd0mhTc
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