ASHBURN — As he walked up to the microphone, Jack Del Rio greeted reporters with a “What’s up, everybody?” But the Washington Commanders defensive coordinator already knew what the main topic was going to be about.
Speaking to reporters for the first time since being fined $100,000 for referring to the Jan. 6 riot as a “dust-up,” Del Rio soon made clear that he was there to discuss football. And football only.
“Everything I’d like to talk about should have to do with football,” Del Rio said, “and playing good defense.”
Two months ago, Del Rio’s comments about the attack on the Capitol ignited a distinctly partisan-flavored debate on free speech.