Jon Gruden is currently making headlines with a racist comment concerning NFLPA boss Maurice Smith. The verbal gaffe stems from a 2011 email in which Gruden made disparaging remarks about Smith. The Las Vegas Raiders head coach has taken a stand.
Munich – An email is rocking the NFL.
Current Raiders coach Jon Gruden sent an email to the president of what is now the Washington football team ten years ago, during the 2011 NFL lockout.
At the time, Gruden was employed as a lead analyst for Monday Night Football on the “ESPN” network.
The 58-year-old wrote that Maurice Smith had “lips as big as Michelin tyres”. This is reported by the “Wall Street Journal”, which has Gruden’s letter.
The mail came to public attention during the NFL investigation into the Washington football team.
Problematic apology
Gruden himself insists the remark was in no way meant to be racist and has already apologised several times.
But the apologies have not necessarily made the facts any better – on the contrary: “I don’t have a single ‘racial bone’ in my body and I’ve proven that for 58 years.”
“Racial bone” is an expression that is often used to defend oneself in the face of accusations related to racism. However, the term has been frowned upon for some time and is also viewed critically in the US.
Gruden said his comments were intended to imply that Smith had made false statements on a particular issue, and thus to paint him as a liar: “I’m ashamed of myself for insulting Smith. I had no racist thoughts whatsoever in doing so.”
On “ESPN,” the head coach said he also spoke to his players about the issue on Fridaymorngen to let them know about the issue early on.
Smith: “Wasn’t the first time, won’t be the last “
The man involved, DeMaurice Smith, has also spoken out about Gruden’s racist outburst.
The NFLPA chairman stated that he would always need a thick skin in his position, “Just like anyone else who looks like me and works in America. People say things behind our backs that are racist,” Smith said.
It was not the first time and will not be the last, he says: “Racism like this comes from the fact that I sit at the same table as these people and they don’t think I belong there. I’m sorry that my family has to see something like this. But I will not let it affect me.”
League and Raiders distance themselves from Gruden’s statements
The Las Vegas Raiders, meanwhile, released a statement in which owner Mark Davis called Gruden’s remarks “disturbing.” “The email is in no way what the Raiders stand for. We will discuss the matter with Coach Gruden and have no further comment at this time.”
– Las Vegas Raiders (@Raiders) October 8, 2021
Gruden had already spoken to Davis about it and would do so again, he explained. He said he did not yet know whether he would face disciplinary action from the club or the league.
The NFL has also strongly criticised Gruden’s statements. League spokesman Brian McCarthy said, “Jon Gruden’s email to DeMaurice Smith is appalling, abhorrent and contrary to all NFL values. We condemn the statement and regret any harm it may have caused Mr Smith or anyone else.”
In an internal NFL message to all employees, the league made it clear once again that these values must be taken seriously at all times. It added that the human resources department, as well as all management personnel, would always lend an ear if the values were violated.
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