You probably do not require further proof that Dan Snyder needs to be forced out of owning the Washington NFL franchise that he’s been at the helm of since 1999.
But, just in case, look no further than his first public statement since the Washington Post published a story about 15 women who say they were sexually harassed by members of the organization.
It lacks any sense of contrition or regret and comes off entirely as a plea to be allowed to move forward and continue running the franchise. He promises stronger measures meant to alter the culture, but mostly sounds like a man unaccustomed to getting caught and determined to not let it happen again.
“The behavior described in yesterday’s Washington Post article has no place in our franchise or society,” Snyder said on Friday. “This story has strengthened my commitment to setting a new culture and standard for our team, a process that began with the hiring of Coach Rivera earlier this year. Beth Wilkinson and her firm are empowered to do a full, unbiased investigation and make any and all requisite recommendations.
“Upon completion of her work,” he continued, “we will institute new policies and procedures and strengthen our human resources infrastructure to not only avoid these issues in the future but most importantly create a team culture that is respectful and inclusive of all.”
That’s it. You won’t find any word of apology anywhere or the word “victims.” Just that first sentence addresses the past, and the rest is about moving forward and creating “a new culture,” a vague description of what he’s promising. It’s in that sentence that Snyder distances himself and the organization from the horrifying allegations in the Post’s stories. It’s “the behavior described.” Using that phrase proves there’s no ownership or responsibility whatsoever from Snyder.
My colleague Steven Ruiz wrote on Thursday that this isn’t just an isolated set of disturbing incidents that have happened in Washington’s organization. Just two years ago, the New York Times reported the franchise’s cheerleading team was sent to Costa Rica in 2013 for a calendar photo shoot that included shots of them in body paint and topless — while employees for the team’s sponsors looked on. Some of the women were pushed to attend a nightclub trip with sponsors.
If nothing has changed in the last seven years, what makes anyone think Snyder should be in charge of this so-called new culture? How could you leave someone in charge who was either aware of these allegations and ignored them or had no idea this was happening under his watch?
These empty words add to several other reasons Snyder should be out (like how long it took him to finally agree to change the name, only after sponsors forced his hand).
There’s no evidence, at all, that Snyder can oversee an investigation that will allow a new culture to take root. He is paying the bills for the law firm doing that work; they will be beholden to him. It’s already a flawed process.
Besides, he does not even appear to understand — or perhaps even care about — what has occurred within his organization and the pain it’s caused to 15 women (and potentially others who weren’t interviewed). Instead, he seeks to wipe his hands clean of wrongdoing by distancing himself from “the behavior described.”
The only real first step should have been a sincere apology, and Snyder couldn’t even muster that.
