The Wall Street Journal reported that Jon Gruden, Las Vegas Raiders' coach, used a racist comment to refer to DeMaurice Smith, executive director of the NFL Players Association in an email dated 10 years ago.
The email was sent to Smith in July 2011, as the NFL and its players were trying to resolve a lockout. It stated that Smith had "lips of the size of michellin tire". The Journal said it had reviewed the email.
Gruden was at the time the lead analyst for Monday Night Football. He told ESPN that he didn't recall writing the email, but that he apologized.
He claimed that he used the term "rubber lips", to refer to men he caught lying to him.
Gruden said, "I'm ashamed that I insulted De Smith." Gruden also stated, "I never had any racial thoughts when I used it. ... It's embarrassing to see what's out there. It was not my intention for it to sound so bad.
Gruden stated that he had spoken with Mark Davis, Raiders owner, and that he expects to talk with him again. Gruden was not certain if he would be disciplined by Davis or the NFL. The NFL condemned Gruden’s comments in a statement on Friday afternoon.
Brian McCarthy, an NFL spokesperson, stated that Jon Gruden's email degrading DeMaurice Smith was "appalling," "aboverent" and "wholly contrary to NFL values. "We condemn the statement, and we regret any harm it may cause to Mr. Smith or anyone else."
Multiple reports indicate that the league is investigating the matter and could take disciplinary action against Gruden.
Davis released a statement Friday afternoon describing the contents of the email as "disturbing" but not what the Raiders stand behind.
Davis stated that he was first informed of the email by a reporter late yesterday and is currently reviewing it, along with other materials from the NFL. "We are currently addressing the matter to Coach Gruden and will not have any further comments at this time."
Gruden stated that he spoke to the Raiders' players on Friday morning to inform them of the Journal's report.
Gruden stated to ESPN, "I am transparent with my players."
He added, "That might have not been the best time in my life," which was referring to the 2011 lockout when the email was sent. "I vented quite a bit. ... I didn't feel we were getting truth and honesty in negotiations. It was just that Gene Upshaw, former executive director of the NFLPA, would not have allowed it to get this far."
McCarthy stated that the email was discovered during an investigation by the NFL into workplace misconduct with Washington Football Team. McCarthy said that the league was informed about the existence of emails that "raised issues beyond the scope" of that investigation. More than 650,000 emails were reviewed by senior league executives. Gruden, then the president, was also included in the Journal's report. For review, the NFL sent relevant emails to Raiders.
Smith stated to the Journal that "This isn't 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 dark skin. It has always been this way for people with similar skin to 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, racist language.
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."
Gruden was the Raiders' leader from 1998 to 2001 when he was traded for Tampa Bay. He led the Buccaneers to the Super Bowl title against the Raiders.
After enduring the 2008 season in Tampa, he was fired and then returned to the "Monday Night Football" booth.
Gruden was rehired by the Raiders in Oakland in 2018, with a $100 million 10-year contract. Last year, the team relocated to Las Vegas and Gruden hasn't made it to the playoffs. The Raiders are now 3-1 in 2021.
This report was contributed by The Associated Press.
