Commanders' Jonathan Allen apologizes for 'Hitler tweet'

The Washington Commanders are once again in the news and for the wrong reasons, begging the question as to just what's going on with the franchise.

Commanders' Allen apologizes for Hitler tweet

On Wednesday Washington Commanders defensive tackle Jonathan Allen apologized for a now deleted tweet in which he stated that Adolf Hitler was one of three people living or dead that he'd like to have dinner with. In quite a contrasting move, the player who's been nominated for the the Walter Payton Man of the Year Award for the second consecutive year, told his nearly 68,000 Twitter followers early on Wednesday morning to "Ask me anything." One user then asked which three people, dead or alive, would he want to have at his dinner table. Allen responded by saying his "Granddad, Hitler and Michael Jackson."

In a second tweet - also since deleted - Allen answered to a follower's request for an explanation of the Hitler choice. Allen responded by saying, "He's a military genius and I love military tactics but honestly I would want to pick his brain as to why he did what he did. I'm also assuming that the people I've chosen have to answer all my questions honestly." Later in the day Allen once again tweeted having reflected on his earlier words. "Early I tweeted something that probably hurt people and I apologize about what I said. I didn't express properly what I was trying to say and I realize it was dumb!"

Allen's tweet badly timed for the Commanders

In a week which has seen intense coverage of the investigation into the franchise's work place environment after reports of sexual misconduct from owner Dan Snyder, Allen's social media misstep could be seen as a welcome distraction or simply adding fuel to the fire. Either way it doesn't do the Commanders any favors from a PR point of view. When pressed on his choice of words after his initial tweet, Allen explained that it would be interesting to speak with the former German dictator, however, he was clear in that he was not trying to "give him props." Allen went on to state that Hitler was one of "if not the most evil persons to have ever lived but this was a hypothetical question."

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There was also another response which he gave to an individual who identified himself as Jewish - Hitler started World War II and was responsible for the Holocaust in which millions of Jews were slaughtered. Allen was quick to apologize for any offense saying, "I was just answering a question. Though his words were poorly chosen Allen is in fact one of the positives for a Washington team that has faced it's share of trials and tribulations recently. A team captain who just played in his first Pro Bowl on Sunday gone, Allen is one of the central figures for the franchise since his first round draft selection in 2017, indeed the DT was the only current player to attend the unveiling of the franchise's new name and uniforms.