Tuesday's statement by the NFL Players Association stated that it will request that the NFL release all remaining 650,000 emails in connection with an investigation into workplace misconduct involving the Washington Football Team.
The Las Vegas Raiders coach resigned Monday night after emails were leaked from the investigation showing Jon Gruden used anti-gay, misogynistic, and racist language.
"We have communicated with the league and the NFLPA plans for the NFL to release the rest of their emails," DeMaurice Smith, executive director of the NFLPA, told USA Today Sports by phone.
George Atallah, spokesperson for the NFLPA, confirmed to ESPN's Dan Graziano the union would request the emails. USA Today was told by a spokesperson for the NFL that they do not intend to release these emails due to confidentiality concerns.
The NFL was also urged to release emails by attorneys representing 40 former employees from the Washington Football Team.
"It is outrageous that the coach of the Las Vegas Raiders, after a 10-month-long investigation by the NFL involving hundreds of witnesses to harass and abuse at Washington Football Team," Lisa Banks and Debra Katz stated in a statement. The NFL must release all the information related to Jon Gruden's offensive emails, which it obtained in its investigation into Washington Football Team. Transparency and accountability are important for our clients and the general public. Roger Goodell and the NFL must clearly explain to the public why they seem determined to protect the Washington Football Team's owner Dan Snyder and their interests at all costs.
Gruden sent an email to Smith in which he made a racist comment. Smith said that Gruden's email contained a racist comment about Smith. Smith also tweeted that some of the reactions to the email "confirms that racism, racist tropes, and intolerance are not over." This isn't about an email, but rather about the pervasive belief that people who look like I can be treated less.
In July, the NFL concluded its investigation into Washington's workplace culture and fined the franchise $10 million. Tanya Snyder was also named co-CEO of the team in June. She took over all day-to-day franchise duties from Dan. All senior executives, which included the Snyders, were required to participate in workplace conduct training.
A spokesperson for the NFL told ESPN's John Keim the league would not reopen its investigation into Washington Football Team on the basis of these leaked emails. The Gruden emails were considered beyond the scope of their investigation. A spokesperson for the NFL stated that the emails concerning Gruden were not released by the NFL.
The spokesperson stated that the league flagged the Gruden emails at the same time. However, they did not consider any other issues to report to the club leadership or the club.
Gruden resigned shortly after The New York Times reported he used anti-gay and misogynistic language in emails to Bruce Allen (then the president of Washington Football Team), during a period of seven years that ended in 2018. This report was made days after Gruden's 10-year-old emails containing a racist comment about Smith and a vulgar attack on Goodell were revealed by The New York Times.
Aaron Rodgers, Green Bay Packers quarterback, was among the NFL players and coaches who reacted to Gruden’s emails on Tuesday. Rodgers stated that he does not feel like these are opinions shared by players in his weekly appearance on "Pat McAfee"
"I feel like the locker room is a tight-knit group and we don’t treat people differently based upon their appearance, their background, or what they like to do. That's something I am proud of.
Rodgers stated that "hopefully, we all can as a league learn from this and hopefully it puts others on notice who share some of these same opinions." It's like, "Hey man! It's time for us to grow, evolve, change, and connect. That s--- doesn’t fly!"
Mike Tomlin, Pittsburgh Steelers coach, was on Gruden’s staff for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers four seasons. He said Tuesday that he was "saddened by the situation."
"I am saddened for Raiders. It was offensive and I am sorry for them. Coach Gruden is a sad person to me. It's a sad commentary. He said, "That's the only opinion that I have at this point."
This report was contributed by Rob Demovsky, ESPN.
