Washington Commanders coach Jack Del Rio calls Jan. 6 insurrection 'a dust-up'

Washington Commanders coach refers to Jan. 6 Capitol Riot as 'dust-up'

FOX 5's Jacqueline Matter reports on the comments made by Washington Commanders coach Jack Del Rio calling the January 6 Capitol Riot a "dust-up," and how one official in Virginia is responding.

WASHINGTON (FOX 5 DC) - Washington Commanders defensive coordinator Jack Del Rio called the Jan. 6 insurrection at the U.S. Capitol in 2021 "a dust-up" when answering a question about a controversial tweet from earlier this week.

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In a tweet on Monday, the 59-year-old questioned why the 2020 riots following George Floyd's murder were not being investigated with the same fervor as the January 2021 attack at the Capitol, according to TMZ.

Del Rio was asked about the tweet on Wednesday during a press conference.

"Let's get right down to it," Del Rio said. "What did I ask? A simple question -- why are we not looking into those things if we're going to talk about it. Why are we not looking into those things? Because it's kind of hard for me to say, I can realistically look at it -- I see the images on TV, people's livelihoods are being destroyed. Businesses are being burned down -- no problem. And then we have a dust-up at the Capitol, where nothing burned down. And we're going to make that a major deal."

"I just think it's kind of two standards," Del Rio continued. "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. We're Americans. Let's talk it through."

Del Rio tweeted an apology later in the day on Wednesday. It reads in full:

"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. 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."

In response to Del Rio's original comments, Virginia State Senator Jeremy McPike now says he will vote "no" on the Commanders' stadium bill.

"He is a senior leader of the organization and that’s tough to reconcile when at the same time the organization is saying we want to be your neighbor. Well guess what January 6th impacted us here in Prince William. Those officers and families live in Prince William County, one of which is no longer with us and you’re saying hey greet us with open arms? We haven’t dealt with transit, we haven’t dealt with transportation and oh yeah let’s insult you to boot. Not a good start. Absolutely horrid start," McPike tells FOX 5.

McPike's decision to vote no came just hours before he was set to meet with the Commanders' Team President Jason Wright to discuss a potential deal.

Del Rio's comments come as the House Select Committee to Investigate the January 6th Attack on the United States Capitol is preparing to hold hearings this week to establish the historical record after going through more than 100 subpoenas, 1,000 interviews and 100,000 documents.

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The insurrection at the Capitol on Jan. 6 resulted in the deaths of five people and left many others injured. Dozens of insurrectionists have been convicted or pleaded guilty to serious crimes.

Washington Commanders Capitol Riot Washington, D.C.