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Thoughts on the Washington Redskins harassment scandal

By Ian Cummings

LANDOVER, MARYLAND - JULY 13: Washington Redskins signage is every where, including light poles in the parking lot at FedEx Field July 13, 2020 in Landover, Maryland. The team announced Monday that owner Daniel Snyder and coach Ron Rivera are working on finding a replacement for its racist name and logo after 87 years. (Photo by Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images)
LANDOVER, MARYLAND - JULY 13: Washington Redskins signage is every where, including light poles in the parking lot at FedEx Field July 13, 2020 in Landover, Maryland. The team announced Monday that owner Daniel Snyder and coach Ron Rivera are working on finding a replacement for its racist name and logo after 87 years. (Photo by Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images) /
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LANDOVER, MD – SEPTEMBER 10: Washington Redskins owner Daniel Snyder watches warm ups before a game between the Philadelphia Eagles and Washington Redskins at FedExField on September 10, 2017 in Landover, Maryland. (Photo by Patrick McDermott/Getty Images)
LANDOVER, MD – SEPTEMBER 10: Washington Redskins owner Daniel Snyder watches warm ups before a game between the Philadelphia Eagles and Washington Redskins at FedExField on September 10, 2017 in Landover, Maryland. (Photo by Patrick McDermott/Getty Images) /

Dan Snyder’s response

Just as Snyder’s actions amidst harassment leave much to be desired, so too does his reaction. Snyder did not release a statement on the day of the article release. Head coach Ron Rivera did.

Snyder instead released two statements yesterday, one to the public and one to his employees. In these statements, he stated that the report strengthened his commitment to set a new culture standard — a commitment that wasn’t there in the first place. He expressed sorrow for the events entailed in the article, and pledged to strengthen the team’s human resources presence.

Nowhere in these statements, however, did Snyder claim individual and personal responsibility for what transpired. Conversely, in no scenario does Snyder lack personal responsibility. As the owner, that is his curse. If he did know, then he was complicit and perhaps contributory. If he didn’t know, he failed his most sacred duty as owner.

Snyder has individual responsibility. He was always going to have it. And yet, in his statements, he chose not to hold himself accountable, but instead painted himself as a victim of his surroundings. “We” are sorry. “We” will do better.

No, Mr. Snyder. “You” have to do better.

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