Commanders’ reputation keeps taking hits
Off-the-field issues persist for Washington franchise
The NFL’S Washington Commanders once again find themselves at the center of an off-the-field issue that has nothing to do with football, dealing another blow to their rapidly sagging reputation as one of the most dysfunctional franchises in professional sports.
The fallout from the latest misstep requiring an explanation or apology — assistant coach Jack Del Rio comparing the protests in the wake of the police killing of George Floyd to the Jan. 6 insurrection at the U.S. Capitol — could have far-reaching consequences beyond the locker room.
It immediately scuttled the team’s best opportunity to reach a deal to build a new stadium, which was the most important long-term project facing owner Dan Snyder amid a lengthy drought without a playoff victory and a dearth of fan enthusiasm.
Multiple Virginia lawmakers pointed to Del Rio’s comments as another reason not to vote on legislation luring the Commanders to the state, and by Thursday the bill already on its last legs was pushed off the table for
the rest of the year.
Del Rio made his comments this week on the verge of public hearings opening into the riot at the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021.
“People’s livelihoods are being destroyed, businesses are being burned down, no problem,” Del Rio said Wednesday when asked about a social media post he made comparing the summer of 2020 protests to the insurrection.
“And then we have a dust-up at the Capitol, nothing burned down, and we’re going to make that a major deal,” said Del Rio. “I just think it’s kind of two standards.”
He apologized hours later in a Twitter post, saying it was “irresponsible and negligent” to call Jan. 6 a “dust-up.”
Buccaneers: Tom Brady concedes a lot has happened in the four months that have passed since he announced through social media that he was walking away from the NFL after 22 seasons and seven Super Bowl championships. For starters, the 44-year-old quarterback did an about-face and unretired six weeks later, citing “unfinished business” as one of the reasons for changing his mind and returning to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Brady subsequently also accepted a lucrative offer in broadcasting to join Fox as a football analyst after his playing career ends. For now, though, he says he’s just focused on helping the Bucs win another championship.
Giants: New York canceled practice after holding a team meeting on Thursday, wrapping up a mandatory three-day minicamp. The team said it was holding an organizational function instead of a practice. That means the next time the Giants and coach Brian Daboll will get together on the field will be July 26, for the start of training camp.
Colts: On Thursday, 37-year-old former Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan completed his first offseason workouts outside Atlanta by saying he felt more comfortable and confident about running coach Frank Reich’s offense.
Falcons: While rookie Desmond Ridder and Marcus Mariota are preparing to compete for the Falcons starting job at quarterback, 6foot-6 Feleipe Franks is exploring a new hybrid role. He is still listed as a quarterback, but he is spending most of his practice time at tight end.
49ers: Trey Lance dropped back on successive plays and launched deep strikes to Ray-ray Mccloud and Jordan Matthews. With Jimmy Garoppolo far away rehabilitating an injured shoulder before a likely trade or release this summer, Lance appears fully entrenched as the Niners’ starting quarterback.