CLINTON — Dan Snyder is embarrassed. He feels terrible. He’s also hurt, frustrated and apologetic. Name a downbeat adjective, and he’s all over it.
The Washington Redskins owner made some rare in-season comments about his team Tuesday, speaking at an event to celebrate the franchise’s charitable program to renovate football fields at Maryland high schools. He received nothing but cheers from appreciative students and faculty when introduced, a change of pace from the reception he and his team have heard at FedEx Field during a 2-5 start.
“We feel frustration and are disappointed for our fans,” Snyder told the crowd. “Obviously our performance to date is not what we expected, and we hope to turn that around.”
Afterward, speaking to a small group of reporters in a parking lot, Snyder elaborated — although only in general terms. Asked a question that referenced two recent controversies surrounding the team — the suing of fans who couldn’t pay for their premium tickets, and a total ban on fans carrying signs and banners into the stadium — Snyder addressed neither issue.
“I feel bad for the fans. I feel sorry for the fans, and we’re very, very appreciative of our loyal fan base,” he said. “We just feel terrible. We’re disappointed. We’re embarrassed, and we hope to get it going soon.”
Although the team says the ban on signs took effect at the beginning of the season, it was announced only recently, coinciding with an increase of negative signs targeting Snyder and front office chief Vinny Cerrato. Asked how he is affected personally, Snyder said: “It hurts.”
“It really hurts,” Snyder said. “We are really trying very, very hard, everyone at Redskins Park, the coaches, the players. The organization’s quite frankly held together well, and I think we’ve got an opportunity the rest of the season to hopefully get it going. But to date we’ve let everyone down, including ourselves, and we know that and we’re just apologetic. We’ve blown some games that obviously we think we should have won.”
The questions got more pointed as the interview progressed. After 2 1/2 minutes, in the middle of a question about stripping of coach Jim Zorn of play-calling duties, the Surrattsville High School marching band happened to approach the area, playing at full volume. Snyder stopped the question and made small talk about the fact that Tuesday was Election Day while waiting for the band to pass.
Just as the music was quieting down, Snyder said he had to go. He walked away, leaving the question unanswered.
Football
Redskins’ Snyder says team has ‘let everyone down’
- Football
-
-
Redman ready to carry load for Steelers
They don't celebrate NFL backups in southern New Jersey. Trust Isaac Redman on this.
-
Former WVU coach Bill Stewart dies from heart attack
Former West Virginia football coach Bill Stewart, who was hailed as Rich Rodriguez’s successor but wound up leaving the school in a messy split, died Monday of what athletic department officials said was an apparent heart attack. He was 59.
-
Big 12, SEC champs to play in New Year's Day bowl
The Big 12 and the Southeastern conferences have announced a deal that will pit their football regular-season champions against each other in a New Year’s Day bowl game for five years beginning in 2014, positioning themselves for the expected switch to a four-team playoff.
-
Junior Seau buried in hometown
Hours after Junior Seau was buried in his hometown, thousands of fans attended a public memorial service at Qualcomm Stadium, where the hard-hitting, fist-pumping linebacker starred for 13 seasons.
-
Seattle signs its complete draft class
he Seahawks have come to terms on a multi-year deal with first-round pick Bruce Irvin, a defensive end taken 15th overall in last month’s draft to help fill Seattle’s need for a speed pass rusher to come off the edge.
-
Vilma, others fight suspensions in bounty case
Saints linebacker Jonathan Vilma and three other players suspended in the NFL’s investigation of New Orleans’ cash-for-hits bounty system challenged their punishments Monday.
-
Undrafted Keenum eager to join Texans
Overlooked again, Case Keenum will start his NFL career close to where he proved his skeptics wrong in college.
The record-setting Houston quarterback said Monday that he will sign as an undrafted free agent with the Texans, the team he was hoping would give him his shot. -
Boise State quarterback signs with Lions
Boise State standout Kellen Moore has agreed to a free-agent deal with Detroit, giving the Lions someone to develop behind starter Matthew Stafford and backup Shaun Hill.
-
Ravens trade first-round pick to Vikings
The Ravens traded the 29th overall pick in the NFL draft to the Minnesota Vikings, a move that leaves Baltimore without a first-round selection for the second time in three years.
-
Hail to the new Redskin!
There was no mistaking Robert Griffin III at the NFL draft. The ends of his dreadlocks settled onto a baby blue jacket. His checkered-patterned shirt was offset by a purplish tie with horizontal stripes.
- More Football Headlines
-
