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sports Diahuebs 9 Juni 2022

Del Rio defends comparing Floyd protests to Capitol riots

ASHBURN, Va. (AP) — munities across the country.” vera’s staff in Washington in
An assistant coach for the 2020.
NFL’s Washington Com- His comments followed a
manders issued an apol- Twitter post Monday night in “Anything that I ever say or
ogy for his word choice which he said, “Would love write, I’d be comfortable
after doubling down on a to understand ‘the whole saying or writing in front of
comparison he made on story’ about why the summer everybody that I work with,
social media between the of riots, looting, burning and players and coaches,” Del Rio
violent attack on the U.S. the destruction of personal said. “I express myself as an
Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021, property is never discussed American. We have that abil-
and the protests in the but this is ???” He was re- ity. I love this country and I
wake of the police killing sponding to a tweet about the believe what I believe and
of George Floyd. Congressional hearings into I’ve said what I want to say.
Jan. 6. Every now and then, there’s
Jack Del Rio, a former line- some people that get offend-
backer who now runs Wash- Del Rio and coach Ron Rive- ed by it.”
ington’s defense, downplayed ra say they aren’t concerned if
the deadly insurrection and the opinion will upset Black The remarks generated a
questioned why the summer players who make up the ma- prompt backlash from some
of 2020 protests were not jority of their team, some of Virginia lawmakers, who for
receiving the same scrutiny. whom spoke out about police months have been consider-
His comments Wednesday brutality and racism in the ing whether to pass legisla-
after an offseason practice wake of Floyd’s killing two tion intended to incentivize the state with broad Senate coached in the league since
came a day before a House years ago. the team to build a new sta- support, but other defectors 1997, including stints as the
committee investigating the “If they are (concerned) and dium in the commonwealth had raised concerns even be- head coach of the Jackson-
pro-Donald Trump disrup- they want to talk about it, I’d by offering generous tax in- fore Del Rio’s remarks. ville Jaguars from 2003-11
tion of Congress 17 months talk about it with anybody,” centives. Two northern Vir- With five years left until their and Oakland Raiders from
ago begins public hearings on Del Rio said. “No problem. ginia Democratic senators current lease at FedEx Field is 2015-17.
the matter. At any time. But they’re not. who had previously been en- set to expire, the Command-
I’m just expressing myself thusiastic supporters of the ers have no stadium deal in Washington’s defense ranked
“People’s livelihoods are be- and I think we all as Ameri- measure expressed concerns place with Virginia, Maryland 22nd out of 32 teams last sea-
ing destroyed, businesses are cans have a right to express about Del Rio’s comments. or the District of Columbia. son after being the league’s
being burned down, no prob- ourselves, especially if you’re Rivera, who hired Del Rio second-best in 2020. Del Rio
lem,” Del Rio said. “And then being respectful. I’m being Jeremy McPike tweeted a to run Washington’s defense said he likes his players and
we have a dust-up at the Cap- respectful.” clip of Del Rio speaking with without any prior relation- welcomes any dialogue with
itol, nothing burned down, the message: “Yup. Just sealed ship, said he would not dis- them.
and we’re going to make that Washington defensive back the deal to cast my vote as a cuss anything he talks with “Let’s have a discussion.
a major deal. I just think it’s Kendall Fuller, a Black player, NO. I think what’s burning his staff about. We’re Americans,” he said.
kind of two standards.” said he was not aware of Del down today is the stadium “Let’s talk it through. I’m
Amid backlash for his com- Rio’s tweet. After a reporter bill.” Scott Surovell predict- “Everybody’s entitled to their for us having a great oppor-
ments, Del Rio released read it to him, Fuller said: ed there would be no more opinion, though,” Rivera tunity having a fulfilled life
a statement on Twitter “I don’t have a reaction right “votes on stadium bills this said. “If it ever becomes an is- every which way I can. When
Wednesday afternoon apolo- now. If I have a reaction, a year.” sue or a situation, we’ll have I’m here it’s about love and
gizing his word choice. Del feeling, towards something, Senate Majority Leader Dick that discussion. Right now, respect. I love my guys, I re-
Rio said it was “irresponsible I’ll express that with him.” Saslaw, a sponsor of the bill, it’s something that I will deal spect my guys but I also love
and negligent” to call the riot Del Rio, 59, has posted con- said the comments were “not with when it comes up.” the fact that I’m an American
a “dust-up.” But he said he servative opinions to his veri- helpful” but talks over the and that means I’m free to
stood by comments “con- fied Twitter account numer- legislation would continue. Del Rio played 11 NFL sea- express myself. I’m not afraid
demning violence in com- ous times since joining Ri- The measure initially cleared sons from 1985-95. He has to do that.”

South African boxer who became disoriented in fight dies

CAPE TOWN, South Af- injury caused internal bleed- slumped against the ropes
rica (AP) — A South Af- ing, Boxing South Africa said. in the corner and the referee
rican boxer who became His age was not released. stopped the fight.
disoriented during a fight
and walked away from Buthelezi's fight against Boxing South Africa said it
his opponent toward an Siphesihle Mntungwa was will conduct an independent
empty corner of the ring shown on national television medical review of the inci-
while throwing punches in South Africa. dent.
has died of a brain injury.
Buthelezi had just knocked
Boxing South Africa said Mntungwa through the
Wednesday that lightweight ropes. The referee separated
Simiso Buthelezi died on the fighters and Buthelezi
Tuesday night following the took a few steps back while
bout on Sunday in the east- Mntungwa got back on his
ern city of Durban. He had feet. But when the two were
been in an induced coma. called to box again,

Buthelezi collapsed after the Buthelezi turned to his right
fight, which was stopped in and walked away from his
the 10th and final round by opponent toward the corner
the referee when Buthelezi while throwing a number of
became disoriented. He died punches in what looked like
in the hospital after the brain a shadowboxing session. He