Report: Jon Gruden Used Anti-Gay, Misogynistic Language In Additional Emails
By: Joseph Zucker (Bleacher Report)
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Joseph Zucker@@JosephZuckerTwitter LogoFeatured Columnist IVOctober 12, 2021 CommentsComment Bubble Icon Shelley Lipton/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images
In addition to racist remarks about DeMaurice Smith, Las Vegas Raiders head coach Jon Gruden used "misogynistic and homophobic language over several years to denigrate people around the game and to mock some of the league's momentous changes," according to the New York Times ' Ken Belson and Katherine Rosman.
The comments were made in messages to former Washington Football team president Bruce Allen and others, and were unearthed when the NFL investigated allegations of workplace misconduct within the WFT organization.
Over the course of the exchanges, Gruden referred to NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell as a "f----t" and a "clueless anti football p---y," per Belson and Rosman. He also suggested Goodell had leaned on former St. Louis Rams coach Jeff Fisher to draft "q---rs" after the franchise made Michael Sam the first publicly out player selected in the NFL draft in 2014.
Gruden currently coaches Carl Nassib, the first active player to come out as gay.
According to the New York Times , the 58-year-old voiced his opinion on a number of topics:
"In numerous emails during a seven-year period ending in early 2018, Gruden criticized Goodell and the league for trying to reduce concussions and said that Eric Reid, a player who had demonstrated during the playing of the national anthem, should be fired. In several instances, Gruden used a homophobic slur to refer to Goodell and offensive language to describe some N.F.L. owners, coaches and journalists who cover the league."
The Wall Street Journal 's Andrew Beaton initially reported that Gruden said in an email that Smith, the executive director of the NFL Players Association, had "lips the size of michellin tires."
Smith, who is Black, addressed the situation Monday in a series of tweets:
DeMaurice Smith @demauricesmith The email has also revealed why the comments by some with powerful platforms to explain this away are insidious and hypocritical. It is as if there is a need to protect football above the values of equality, inclusion and respect.
DeMaurice Smith @demauricesmith I appreciate that he reached out to me & I told him that we will connect soon, but make no mistake, the news is not about what is said in our private conversation, but what else is said by people who never thought they would be exposed and how they are going to be held to account
Shortly after Beaton published his report, Raiders owner Mark Davis said Gruden's comment about Smith was "disturbing and not what the Raiders stand for."
Las Vegas Raiders @Raiders pic.twitter.com/nyBuQv1Nbo
Gruden told Beaton he uses the phrase "rubber lips" as a description of people he believes to be lying, adding that he doesn't "have a racial bone in my body."
Following Las Vegas' 20-9 loss to the Chicago Bears, he apologized again and said he's "not a racist":
Cassie Soto @_CassieSoto (Gruden cont.) "I'm not like that at all. I don't want to keep addressing it."
Gruden adds he has not had any contact with the NFL, "we'll see what happens here in the next few days." #Raiders #RaiderNation
ESPN's Chris Mortensen reported Sunday the NFL had forwarded more correspondence from Gruden to the Raiders. Gruden acknowledged to Mortensen having used an expletive in reference to Goodell. He also said he had been frustrated with some team owners because "they were keeping players and coaches from doing what they love with a lockout."
Beaton reported Friday that the league was examining the matter and "discussing Gruden's status with the club."
Rod Graves, executive director of the Fritz Pollard Alliance, issued a statement Monday calling for the Raiders and the NFL to "address this matter with a remedy commensurate with these painful words."
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John always reminded me of a subdued Pete Rose.
Pet Rose is a jerk, hands down, no discussion. Met him several times
and he never failed to be disappointing.
John Gruden was old school, that much is certain.
One of my SIL's was an assistant coach on the Eagles and Dolphins currently back to the college level.
As a guy who practices his religion, he went back to the college level to prevent players and other coaches
from falling into these trope traps.
What is in these emails is basically mild compared to what I have heard
in those locker rooms or practices. Those men take racial insults to a new level of art.
Doesn't make it right.
But what is frightening
is that the internet is not secure, never forgets
and somehow, somewhere everyone's emails are subject to the scrutiny
of some journalistic entity like the NYT.
There are already many comments on twitter saying Gruden did nothing wrong. They demand that football be a good ole boy enclave.
Along the lines of Trump saying "grab her pussy" was nothing but boys being boys.
Jerry Jones "refused to comment" then said we shouldn't live under a microscope and
be judged by "fleeting or minor things of no consequence"
instead of our contributions.
Gruden will be employed again within a short time out period.
Even Demarious Smith said he looked forward to talking to Gruden again.
Gruden didn't send those emails!