Washington Commanders' coach apologizes for 'irresponsible' comment comparing Jan 6 rioting to Black Lives Matter

The defensive coordinator for the Washington Commanders professional football team apologized for his "irresponsible and negligent" comments comparing Black Lives Matter rioting to that on Jan. 6 at the U.S. Capitol.

Jack Del Rio issued the apology via a statement on his Twitter account.

"I made comments earlier 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," wrote Del Rio.

The coach was referring to comments he made during the team's minicamp event in answer to questions from reporters about a tweet where he decried the Jan. 6 committee's investigation.

"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 protest in America," he continued.

"I love, respect, and support all my fellow coaches, players, and staff that I work with and respect their views and opinions," he concluded.

The tweet had questioned the relative lack of media coverage for the rioting during racial riots.

"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 ???" he wrote in response to a post about the committee.

Del Rio explained the tweet further during a media briefing.

"Let's get right down to it. What did I ask? A simple question. Why are we not looking into those things?" he said about the BLM rioting.

"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, nothing burned down. And we're not gonna talk about, we're gonna make that a major deal," he continued.

"Let's have a discussion," he concluded. "We're Americans. Let's talk it through!"

The Commanders' head coach Ron Rivera declined to comment about the controversy.

The Jan. 6 committee is conducting public hearings about the evidence they've gathered about rioting at the U.S. Capitol beginning Thursday.

Here's more about Del Rio's comments:

Commanders DC Jack Del Rio responds to criticism over recent tweets | NBC Sports Washingtonwww.youtube.com