The Wall Street Journal reported that Jon Gruden, Las Vegas Raiders' coach, sent an email with insensitive language regarding DeMaurice Smith, executive director of the NFL Players Association in July 2011.
The email was sent to Smith's president by the Washington Football Team while the NFL and its players were trying to resolve a lockout. It stated that Smith had "lips as big as michellin tires." The Journal said it had reviewed the email.
Gruden, when asked about the Journal email, said that he doesn't recall the writing of it but apologized.
According to the Journal, he stated that he was truly sorry.
Gruden was at that time the lead analyst on Monday Night Football on ESPN. He told ESPN's Paul Gutierrez that he spoke to the Raiders players Friday morning in order to let them know the Journal's report would soon be out.
Gruden stated that "that might not have been my best time in my life" and was referring to the impending lockout. "I vented a lot. "I vented a lot. There was going to be a lockout. I didn't feel we were getting the truth in negotiations.
Gruden said to ESPN that he used "rubber lips" to refer to men he caught lying. He can't spit it all out.
Gruden stated, "I'm ashamed that I insulted D. Smith," and added, "I never had a racial idea when I used it." ... It's embarrassing to see what's out there. It was not my intention for it to sound so bad."
During an investigation by the NFL into workplace misconduct with Washington Football Team, the email was discovered. The Journal was informed by the league that it had read 650,000 emails, including Gruden's email to Bruce Allen, the then-president of the team. The Journal reported that the NFL had sent relevant emails to the Raiders for their review.
The NFL released a statement Friday afternoon saying that Jon Gruden's email degrading DeMaurice Smith was "appalling, abhorrent, and wholly contrary the NFL's value system." "We condemn the statement, and we regret any harm it may cause to Mr. Smith or anyone else.
Gruden stated that he had spoken to Mark Davis, Raiders owner, and that he expects to talk with him again. He wasn't sure if he would be facing any consequences from Davis and the NFL.
Gruden stated to ESPN, "I don't know." "I hope not."
ESPN reached out to Davis for comment but Davis didn't immediately respond.
Smith stated to the Journal that "this is not the first racist comment I've ever heard" and that it won't be the last. This is a job that requires thick skin for someone with darker skin. It has always been this way for people like me who work in corporate America. People sometimes say things behind your back that you find racist, just as you hear people speak and write about yourself using thinly coded and racist terminology.
Smith stated, "Racism such as this is due to the fact that they are at the same table with me and don't believe someone who looks like them belongs." "I am sorry that my family must see this, but I would prefer they knew. It will not define me."
