Former Washington Football GM Scot McCloughan defended owner Dan Snyder, saying he had “nothing but a positive experience” with Snyder. McCloughan went as far to say Snyder was “the best owner” he worked under in his number of stops in the NFL.
McCloughan took the time out of his fishing trip in Colorado to share his thoughts on Snyder to Ben Standig of the Athletic.
“Dan was nothing but good to me and the people (within the organization). Yeah, he’s taking a bath right now. I’ve been around four different owners in my professional career. He’s the best. We’re talking Green Bay. They don’t have a single owner, but a committee. Of course, San Fran. The York family, the DeBartolo’s. Great, great people. The whole package. Paul Allen. Phenomenal in Seattle. Dan Snyder is right there. He was not a bad owner.”
McCloughan’s sentiments are in response of The Washington Post’s report of 15 women allegations of sexual harassment and verbal abuse within Washington’s organization. His thoughts are also not in line to the perception of Snyder.
The inappropriate behavior lasted during a period of 13 years. That included the time McCloughan was with the team as GM. Neither Snyder, McCloughan nor former team president Bruce Allen were implicated in the accusations. However, McCloughan felt directly responsible along with Allen for not being aware of what was happening.
“What’s going on with the organization, I should have been aware of it,” he said. “We were in the building every day.”
Unfortunately, McCloughan offered the thought the behavior in Washington may not be rare around the NFL.
“I think it happens in every organization I’ve been in. It’s just pinpointing [Washington] because the investigation had certain texts from certain people,” McCloughan added.
His defense of Snyder was also surprising considering how McCloughan’s two-year stint in Washington ended. McCloughan was dismissed after two relative successful seasons. After his removal, leaks about his relapse in sobriety with alcoholism came from within the organization. He filed a grievance against the team, but lost.
Still, McCloughan wanted to be upfront and honest about Snyder.
“I believe if Dan knew about it, he would not have allowed it,” he said.
He added Snyder is “a positive for sure” for the team and NFL.
