Bill Maher defends NFL coach who was fined for calling Jan. 6 a ‘dust-up’: ‘He has a right to be wrong’

On Friday’s episode of HBO’s Real Time with Bill Maher, the host defended Washington Commanders (formerly the Washington Redskins) defensive coordinator Jack Del Rio’s right to his 's---ty take' about the January 6 Capitol riot.

On Friday’s episode of HBO’s Real Time with Bill Maher, the host defended Washington Commanders (formerly the Washington Redskins) defensive coordinator Jack Del Rio’s right to his "s---ty take" about the January 6 Capitol riot.

Last Wednesday, Del Rio criticized what he saw as over-hyped media coverage of the January 6 Committee hearings.

In a fateful statement to reporters after practice, Del Rio referred to the Capitol Riot as a "dust-up at the Capitol" that people are making a "major deal" as opposed to the riots following the 2020 death of George Floyd, which he claimed people had "no problem" with.

After the statement, Head Coach Ron Rivera tweeted about his disappointment with Del Rio’s "extremely hurtful" statement and announced that, even though Del Rio apologized, he "decided to fine Coach Del Rio $100,000." Del Rio shortly deleted his Twitter account after the incident.

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"Real Time" host Bill Maher defended the Washington Commanders defensive coordinator after he was fined for his opinion on the January 6 riots. (HBO)

Though Maher and his Friday night guests, liberal commentator Krystal Ball and conservative author James Kerchick expressed that Del Rio’s punishment was too tough. 

Maher started the topic, explaining what Del Rio said, and mentioned that although he doesn’t agree with it, "this is a very common view that he has."

Maher continued, "I would like to, if I could talk to Mr. Del Rio, I think I could probably