Jon Gruden apologizes as NFL, DeMaurice Smith condemn Gruden’s 2011 e-mail about NFLPA chief


Jon Gruden has apologized for feedback he reportedly made about NFLPA govt director DeMaurice Smith in a 2011 e-mail despatched to then-Washington Soccer Staff president Bruce Allen in 2011. The e-mail was despatched because the league and the NFLPA had been within the technique of attempting to finish a lockout. 

Within the e-mail, Gruden mentioned that Smith had “lips the scale of a michellin tires,” in response to a report from The Wall Road Journal. The e-mail was found through the league’s investigation of office misconduct with the Washington Soccer Staff. The NFL informed the Journal that’s has reviewed 650,000 emails throughout its investigation. The league has despatched pertinent emails for the Raiders to evaluation. 

The Raiders issued an announcement concerning the e-mail and are persevering with their investigation.

Whereas he mentioned that he didn’t particularly recall writing that e-mail, Gruden mentioned he’s “actually, actually sorry” for his criticism of Smith. Gruden informed ESPN that he has used the time period “rubber lips” to “check with a man I catch as mendacity … he cannot spit it out.” Gruden mentioned that he has spoken in regards to the matter with Raiders proprietor Mark Davis and expects to talk with him once more. Gruden added that he hopes he doesn’t face self-discipline from Davis or the league. 

“I am ashamed I insulted De Smith,” Gruden mentioned. “I by no means had a racial thought after I used it. … I am embarrassed by what’s on the market. I definitely by no means meant for it to sound that unhealthy.”

Gruden informed the Journal that his feedback about Smith got here out of frustration with Smith and the lockout. 

“I do not assume he is dumb,” Gruden mentioned of Smith. “I do not assume he is a liar. I haven’t got a racial bone in my physique, and I’ve confirmed that for 58 years.”

The NFL issued an announcement concerning Gruden’s feedback. 

“The e-mail from Jon Gruden denigrating DeMaurice Smith is appalling, abhorrent and wholly opposite to the NFL’s values. We condemn the assertion and remorse any hurt that its publication might inflict on Mr. Smith or anybody else.”

The NFLPA govt director for the previous 12 years, Smith responded to Gruden’s feedback through the Journal. 

“This isn’t the primary racist remark that I’ve heard and it in all probability is not going to be the final,” Smith mentioned. “This can be a thick pores and skin job for somebody with darkish pores and skin, identical to it all the time has been for many individuals who appear to be me and work in company America. You already know individuals are typically saying issues behind your again which are racist identical to you see folks discuss and write about you utilizing thinly coded and racist language.

“Racism like this comes from the truth that I am on the identical desk as they’re they usually do not assume somebody who appears like me belongs. I am sorry my household has to see one thing like this however I’d relatively they know. I can’t let it outline me.”



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