Jonathan Allen sends out apology for comments surrounding dinner with Hitler

Washington Commanders defensive tackle Jonathan Allen held an “Ask me anything” session on his Twitter account on Wednesday that did not go according to plan. Now, Allen is apologizing for one of the answers he gave.

The former first-round draft pick out of Alabama responded to the popular get-to-know-you question, “If you could have dinner with three people, living or dead, who would it be?” His answer: his grandfather, Adolf Hitler, and Michael Jackson.

In since-deleted tweets, Allen explained his thinking when including the former Nazi leader. Hitler and the Nazis killed more than 6 million Jews and at least five million more prisoners of war during the Holocaust and World War II. The Germans invaded Poland, Denmark, Norway, Belgium, France, the Netherlands, Russia, Greece, and Yugoslavia during the late 1930s and early 1940s.

“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,” Allen tweeted. “I’m also assuming that the people I’ve chosen have to answer all my questions honestly.”

Allen apologized on Wednesday night for hurting people with his answer and said, “it was dumb.”

“Early I tweeted something that probably hurt people and I apologize about what I said,” Allen said. “I didn’t express properly what I was trying to say and I realize it was dumb!”

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!

— Jonathan Allen (@jonallen93_) February 9, 2022

Allen receives first Pro Bowl selection

Jonathan Allen has been an underrated defensive lineman since entering the NFL as a first-round pick in 2017. In 2021, he set career-highs in sacks (9.0) and QB hits (30). For his efforts, the former Alabama defensive lineman received his first-ever Pro Bowl selection. At only 27 years old, this likely won’t be his last. On top of his deeds on the field, the defensive tackle was also Washington’s Walter Payton Man of the Year nominee for the second consecutive year.

Allen is going into the second year of his massive post-rookie contract. He signed a four-year, $72 million deal ahead of training camp in 2021.