Dan Snyder presented a check from the Redskins for $100,000 today to Park View High School in Sterling, VA to install a new field turf football field. The NFL also matched the Redskins contribution for an additional $100,000.
PHOTO: Soon, this football field @ Park View HS in Loudoun Co. will be field turf thanks to the @RedskinsCR & others. pic.twitter.com/H5zSSTlNrq
— Washington Redskins (@Redskins) April 22, 2014
#Redskins owner Dan Snyder on hand for announcement of new turf field at Park View High. Team is contributing $100k. pic.twitter.com/GNR4jgM8wo
— Tarik El-Bashir (@TarikCSN) April 22, 2014
The NFL will contribute another $100,000 to the turf field project at Park View High (Sterling, Va.) #Redskins Park
— Tarik El-Bashir (@TarikCSN) April 22, 2014
Dan Snyder also spoke to the reporters on hand at the ceremony and touched on a few Redskins topics.
Signing DeSean Jackson:
#Redskins owner Dan Snyder on DeSean Jackson: "That's going to be exciting--and not just the two games against Philly." #RedskinsTalk
— Tarik El-Bashir (@TarikCSN) April 22, 2014
More Snyder on DJax: "We got tired of seeing him score a lot of touchdowns against us and watching him on TV. It's great to have him here."
— Tarik El-Bashir (@TarikCSN) April 22, 2014
Snyder also said that Gruden and Allen convinced him that signing DJax was the right move, adding, "The only thing I can do is support it."
— Tarik El-Bashir (@TarikCSN) April 22, 2014
Asked about DJax's attitude and character, Snyder pointed to the WRs' charitable endeavors: "Not enough credit has been given to him."
— Tarik El-Bashir (@TarikCSN) April 22, 2014
Dan Snyder on @DeSeanJackson11 @RedskinsCR "It's been great. I've spent a little time with him. He's really a good guy." #Redskins #NFL
— Chris Russell (@Russellmania980) April 22, 2014
Dan Snyder on D-Jax @RedskinsCR "Going back to DeSean --we're looking forward to him playing for a long time and doing great things for us."
— Chris Russell (@Russellmania980) April 22, 2014
Snyder highlighted Jackson’s charitable endeavors, which include a book about bullying, No Bullies in the Huddle, and the DeSean Jackson Foundation, which supports, among other things, pancreatic cancer research.
"I was reading this morning that he’s got a book on bullying out," Snyder said. "I look forward to reading that and I think he’s someone that’s done a lot in the community. I think you’ll see him here for the Redskins for many years. And he’ll be part of this community, and what we’re looking forward to is, obviously, great play but also the fact that—the stuff that I’d love to see reported—and deservedly so, is all of his charitable work. That is something that we ought to focus on. And he deserves a lot credit for that, and not enough credit has been given to him."
Shanahan Drama Last Year:
Asked if he had a role in the RG3-Shanahan drama last season, Snyder sidestepped the question: "We're moving forward."
— Tarik El-Bashir (@TarikCSN) April 22, 2014
The NFL Draft:
Asked if there was a position he'd like addressed early in the draft, Snyder said: "Bruce [Allen] is in charge of that."
— Tarik El-Bashir (@TarikCSN) April 22, 2014
More Snyder on the draft: "We'll follow the draft board, as we always believe in. We're looking forward to it."
— Tarik El-Bashir (@TarikCSN) April 22, 2014
Robert Griffin III:
Snyder on RG3: "Whenever you're coming off a serious injury, it takes time to heal. He's a 100-percent and wonderfully healthy."
— Tarik El-Bashir (@TarikCSN) April 22, 2014
Washington Redskins Original Americans Foundation:
Dan Snyder on foundation #Redskins started recently "We did our homework, unlike a lot of people.. It's time that people focus on reality."
— Chris Russell (@Russellmania980) April 22, 2014
But he did respond to critics of his Original Americans Foundation, which is providing money and resources to tribal communities throughout the country. One criticism is that he's trying to buy good will to deflect attention from those who want the team name changed.
"I wrote a letter to the fans and it speaks for itself," Snyder said, referring to a letter distributed in March to announce the foundation. "It tells you we did our homework, unlike a lot of people, and we understand the issues out there. We're not an issue. The real issues are real life issues, real life needs and it's time that people focus on reality."