Redskins owner issues apology to the fans
Redskins owner Dan Snyder said he’s disappointed. And embarrassed. And apologetic.
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What he didn’t say is what he would do about any of it; nor did he address the perceptions of this once-storied franchise and the moves it has made during the season.
Snyder gave his first public comments this season at Surrattsville High School in Clinton, Md., where the Redskins announced a partnership to maintain and improve eight fields in Prince George’s County.
He answered five questions, according to a transcript at Redskins.com.
“I think number one I feel bad for the fans,” Snyder said. “I feel sorry for the fans. And we’re very, very appreciative of our great, loyal fan base. And I’m understanding; I mean, we just feel terrible. We’re disappointed and we’re embarrassed. And we hope to get it going soon. We’re disappointed.”
When asked how the 2-5 start — and loads of national criticism — has affected him, Snyder said it “hurts. I mean, it really hurts.”
“Everyone at Redskins Park, the coaches, the players, the organization’s really quite frankly held up well,” he said. “And I think we have an opportunity the rest of the season to hopefully get it going. But to date we’ve let everyone down including ourselves. We know that. We’re just apologetic. We’ve blown some games that obviously we should have won. … And I think the players still believe and hopefully we’ll start this Sunday.”
However, Snyder was not asked about coach Jim Zorn’s performance and his future; nor was he asked about his role in the demotion of Zorn as a play-caller. Redskins executive vice president Vinny Cerrato has said that Snyder was not involved in the decision to bring aboard Sherman Lewis or to insert him as a play-caller.
However, one NFL general manager, who has dealt with Snyder in the past, said it’s clear around the league who makes the decisions in Washington.
At some point, Snyder also will have to address Cerrato’s future. One NFL official said the Redskins need to hire a big-name coach — if Zorn is fired — but that “none of them will come now if there aren’t major changes [in the front office].”
Snyder also did not address much of the other off-field hoopla surrounding the Redskins this season, from the banning of signs at the stadium to lawsuits filed against fans and to the growing frustration with his ownership. In 10 seasons, the Redskins have made the playoffs three times; have won one NFC East title (in 1999). They’ve finished with a winning record only three times despite annually outspending teams in the offseason.
“I see disappointment,” Snyder said. “It’s the same way I feel and I share their frustration. It’s hard. We’re going to try to put it together and get it going.”
