Dan Snyder apologizes for start of season

Redskins owner Dan Snyder broke his policy of not speaking during the season Tuesday when he addressed reporters at a charity event.

Snyder was asked about the team banning critical signs of late. He didn’t answer the question specifically, but he did apologize for the team’s sorry season.

“We’ve let everyone down, including ourselves, and we know that and we’re just apologetic,” Snyder said.

It may not sound like much, but just those words could go a long way towards starting to soothe angry feelings among Redskins fans.  The sentiment echoed what Snyder said privately to Tony Kornheiser of all people in the owner’s box a few weeks ago.

Kornheiser told a story on his radio show that Snyder was “embarrassed” for Redskins fans, and Kornheiser encouraged Snyder to relay those thoughts publicly.  It sounds like Snyder listened.

“I think number one I feel bad for the fans. I feel sorry for the fans,” Snyder said. 
“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.”

38 responses to “Dan Snyder apologizes for start of season

  1. If he was really as sorry as he says he is, he’d start getting people in there that know what they are doing (Marty S.) and be more hands-off. Since we know that’s never going to happen, this mea-culpa rings very hollow. Glad I’m not a redskins fan.

  2. Does he really think that little statement is a cure-all for the Redskins fans? This guy is basically running a circus in diguise over there in DC and this is all he has to say is sorry? Sounds more like throwing in the towel than attacking the problem head on to me.

  3. @ the entire staff at PFT
    GET OFF THE REDSKINS NUTS! He should appologize for his inability to lead an organization. What he said is useless in the arena of fans. But of course you guys have to find a way to say: “but just those words could go a long way towards starting to soothe angry feelings among Redskins fans”. Obviously you don’t know any Redskin fans as the only thing that will soothe the angry feelings of them would be to sell the team and get lost. This website has about one good article for every 10. Never used to be that way before the NBC takeover.

  4. In the words of the great Ray Zalinsky:
    Good you’ve pinpointed it, step two is washing it off.
    way to man up synder. now go out there and get Cowher, a QB, a young healthy RB, some WRs, an o-line, a d-line, some corners, etc…

  5. Well, this is a start. he obviously knows he is doing a terrible job. He apologized and now hopefully firing Vinny is next. you have to start somewhere I guess.
    Maybe he will let football people do football business and he can sit behind his big oak desk write checks and read these senseless blogs like the rest of us.
    Then maybe pigs will fly.
    Danny has a long way to go before we even start listening to his sorry ass.
    oh yeah, I apoligize too. for showing up to these sorry games, watching redskins nation and anything else i might do to contribute to his “machine”. i won’t be doing much of that in the near future until Vinny is gone and Mr. Snyder hands over the keys to the buick.

  6. He then added:
    It’s just about time for Vinny & I to start the semi annual coach hunt.
    So if you think you might be head coaching material, & don’t mind me making all personnel decisions, please apply at our website.
    http://www.iwanttocoachtheskins.com
    No experience necessary.

  7. “I think number one I feel bad for the fans. I feel sorry for the fans,” Snyder said. “And we’re very, very appreciative of our great, loyal fan base.”
    _____________
    We’re so appreciative of our loyal fans that I’ve directed our legal team to stop suing our very loyal fans.
    I’m even thinking about letting them bring signs back into the stadium, even though as our legal team points out signs are very dangerous, as long as those signs don’t say anything disparaging about me.
    If you’re serious about feeling bad for the fans Dan do something about it, sell the team.

  8. @ chapnasty
    Dude, the skins suck, face it. PFT is simply reporting the obvious. You might want to switch over to the Baltimore/DC Ravens. Nevermind, they suck too.

  9. It’s good to see Snyder apologize, but in the end there has to be action. As a 30 year Skins fan I’ve decided to give Snyder until January to fire Cerrato and bring in someone to run football operations, or else I’m done. Why should I spend my time, attention, and money on rooting for a team run by a couple of douchebags? Still, I never thought Snyder would be they type to say he was sorry, so this is a good start.

  10. Methinks he’s more sorry his ‘Skins revenue streams are about to dry up more than having an ounce of empathy for any of those common people. You know, the ones who have to sit at games in the weather.

  11. The guy knows how to make money…the Redskins are always in the top 3 franchises (in value) on this planet. But step away from the football Danny!! Hire someone that knows football….PLEASE!!! You hire someone that can GM this team and the signs will go away without a ban. AND…don’t treat us like crap…..we’ll set ur arse on fire…and you’ll see this franchises’ value drop like a rock. Give us what we want!!! Fire Vinny and get a real GM!!!!

  12. I wish I was half as smart as some of you ‘know it alls’ in these forums. I guess it’s hard to stay humble when you’re perfect huh.

  13. I almost feel bad for Redskins fans…almost. If I were a Skins fan, I’d be ready to jump off the Wilson Bridge if faced with the reality of another 40 years of Dan Snyder. He’s an egomaniac who will NEVER sell the team nor relinquish control to someone who understands football. And why on God’s green earth would a coach like Cowher or Holmgren want to work for this clown? And please don’t say money. No amount of cash is worth putting up with b.s. that will surely ensue and the good coaches know that. Looks like Snyder and Al Davis were cut from the same cloth…at least Al Davis is 80 and not 44.

  14. Snyder…don’t say your sorry, just don’t do what you’ve been doing.
    Don’t spend alot of money on free agents who have had their best years with other teams.
    Don’t trade away your draft picks every year.
    Don’t interfere with the team.

  15. we apologize, we’re really sorry.
    no u cant put that sign up here. get out of here.
    //////////////////////
    i guess there are limits to that apology!

  16. @ 69ers
    Not a Redskins fan, live here and know plenty of them. So I speak from observation.
    @ Kravon
    Finally someone noticed

  17. whats with all the “WE” bull$hit, he did this no one else he is responsible for destroying this franchise, not vinny, not zorn, not the players, it’s the person who put all thoose poeple in place to begin with, and that is danny boy himself, as far as i’m concerned he can go f himself until he stops screwing with OUR team

  18. Contrition is Step 1 in the Danny Plan for asking fans for more money (for any number of things) next year. No doubt Danny is sorry. If he were genuinely regretful on the other hand, he’d discount!

  19. I live not too far from Clinton. Did you know that $nyder charged reporters for the interview?

  20. Dan Snyder, as a season-ticket holder I’d feel a lot better if you cut a refund check for every season ticket holder. How about it?

  21. smiley says:
    November 3, 2009 4:23 PM
    The guy knows how to make money…the Redskins are always in the top 3 franchises (in value) on this planet
    _________________
    Before anybody annoints Dan Snyder or Jerry Jones as a brilliant businessmen for having the two highest valuations among the 32 NFL teams they should consider the following:
    *Dan Snyder and Jerry Jones bought very successful businesses, established in every sense of the word, and were successful in growing them even more.
    * The Houston Texans are #6 on the team valuation list at $1.1B behind Dallas, Washington, New England and both New York teams
    *Bob McNair paid $700M for the NFL franchise in 1999 and didn’t field a team until 2002. In 7 revenue generating years the valuation of the Texans went from last place among the 32 teams to #6.
    I like McNair’s business accumen & style much more than Snyder’s or Jones’s and although I’ve never met the man I’m sure he would be a much better person to work for as a player, manager or elsewhere in the organization than either Mr. Snyder or Mr. Jones. Or to appreciate as an Owner by fans.
    I’m sure fans in Washington wish they had an owner like McNair vs Dan Snyder.

  22. As much as I hate the Patriots I want to give Belicheck(w/e) credit where its due. His young deciple Mcdaniels had one of the worst offseasons in football history but b/c of Bill’s teaching he was able to pull through it and make his team believe in him. On the other hand Holmgrens deciple Zorn coming off a pretty bad offseason as well couldnt get his team together and completly lost them. It seems to me Holmgren is getting worse at teaching his coaches and Bellicheck is getting better. I know Andy Reid is one of Holmgrens but as of late he hasnt really bred winning teams or coaches. While on the other hand Bellicheck had some losers in Mangini and Crennel but seems to have something in Mcdaniels.

  23. WOW! ONE OF THE THINGS I LOVE MOST ABOUT BEING A REDSKIN FAN FOR IS THE LOYALTY OF OUR FAN BASE WIN OR NOT NOW I SEE SO CALLED REDSKIN FANS JUMPING SHIP THEN YOU WERE NEVER A TRUE FAN . NO ROOM FOR FAIR WEATHER FANS ON THIS SHIP SO SEE YA LATER!!!!!!!

  24. Danny Snyder is a petty, money hungry nerd that is only interested in making millions. Despite what he said, the fans are not of any concern to him. If they were he wouldn’t have systematically ruined an historic franchise that was once the pride of pro sports. Everything from turning the game day experience into an advertising carnival, to suing long time fans, to not allowing fans to walk to his awful stadium, to having the worst amenities in the league. He can rub his gaudy belt buckle all he wants and state that he is a true fan, but he is not. He’s a moped guy wanting to be in a Harley gang.

  25. Snyder bought the Redskins for $800M…they’re now worth $1.5B. He’s not a good business man? You can do better? Put your bid in slacker. It’s obvious he’s not a football “guy” but he certanly knows how to increase revenue and lower cost. If you knew any better..you would be doing it..and you ain’t. Snyder is a Redskin fan and as far as I know..no other owner in this league is a Redskin fan..so no…I don’t want anyone else that currently owns a team to own the Redskins. Jack Kent Cooke? Different story. He was the best bloody owner in the league. Hail.

  26. “Dan Snyder and Jerry Jones bought very successful businesses, established in every sense of the word, and were successful in growing them even more.”
    The Cowboys and Texas Stadium were bleeding money to the tune of a million dollars a month when Jones bought them. Financial advisors guaranteed that he’d take a bath and advised that buying the Cowboys would be akin to financial suicide. He had to buy 12% of the franchise from the FDIC because it had foreclosed on loans that former owner Bum Bright took from a bank that eventually failed.
    Now, all franchises are cash cows from the start. Nobody’s losing money because of revenue sharing, largely because Jones’ efforts have expanded the revenue pool through good old fashioned hard work. His efforts have increased the value of the Cowboys franchise 25-fold in ~20 years. He bought the team for $65 million (and had to pay an additional $75 million for the lease agreement to Texas Stadium) and it’s now worth upwards of $1.6 billion. The Houston Texans have increased in valuation by roughly 40% in the 10 years since McNair bought the franchise.
    Not sure how players feel about playing for the Texans, but I would think that they’re not happy not only about never having made the playoffs, but never even having a winning season.

  27. HEY RAVEN. DAN SNYDER IS A TRUE FAN . YEA I DONT AGREE WITH VERY MANY OF HIS MOVES BUT I WILL NEVER SAY HE IS NOT A FAN HE HAS SPENT MORE MONEY ON PLAYERS THAN ANY OTHER OWNER . MOST OF THEM WERE BAD DECISIONS BUT AT LEAST HE TRIED TO BRING A CHAMPIONSHIP TO WASHINGTON . HE DESTROYED THE COWGIRLS I MEAN BOYS OWNERS BOX AFTER A LOSS SOUNDS LIKE A FAN TO ME HUH! GO SKINS!

  28. OMG does this mean that Dan Snyder is going to give the team who knows his behind from third base? How about Rush Limbaugh? He’s not a good fit for the Rams, the Redskins and their fans deserve him. After Snyder, Rush can only look good. Dan Snyder is a joke as an owner and the only reason he gives a damn about the fans is because his cash register might stop ringing.

  29. RUSH LIMBAUGH ARE YOU KIDDING ME SPEAK FOR YOURSELF REDSKIN FANS DONT WANT THAT ASSCLOWN !

  30. Those of you who are Snyder fans…you really need to stop drinking your bong water. Meddling owners typically equal poor franchises. Al Davis ring a bell. ‘Course, he’s a total nut case, but you get the point.

  31. Those of you who are Snyder fans…you really need to stop drinking your bong water. Meddling owners typically equal poor franchises. Al Davis ring a bell? The cancer is the owner. Never had those problems when good old Jack Kent Cooke owned the franchise, huh?

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