Life has a way of exposing who someone is, and when you spill your truth in private on the internet, you risk exposure of its lasting digital receipt.
Las Vegas Raider, head coach Jon Gruden is the latest to be exposed for his racist thoughts.
The Receipts
During the 2011 player lockout, Gruden sent a racially charged email describing the National Football Players Association chief DeMaurice Smith, who is Black.
“Dumboriss Smith has lips the size of michellin tires,” wrote Gruden in the email. The Wall Street Journal reviewed the email.
Gruden sent the email to Bruce Allen, the former president of the now Washington Football Team. Gruden, who said he was angry at the time, didn’t trust the players’ direction under Smith.
Jon Gruden discussed the article with his players this morning. Here are his comments to me on the offensive email: pic.twitter.com/7gkNd5Rzzs
— Vic Tafur (@VicTafur) October 8, 2021
He felt the lockout negotiations were going into a bad space.
However, Gruden said he doesn’t specifically recall writing the email but apologized for using that language.
The “Apology”
“I’m really sorry,” he said Friday.
Gruden attempted to further explain that in the past he has referred to people he believes to be lying as “rubber lips.” Gruden also admitted that he took it “too far.”
“I was upset,” Gruden said. “I used a horrible way of explaining it.”
Jon Gruden thinking about excuses right now like… pic.twitter.com/B8loHjFlpD
— SportzStew Ⓥ (@sportzstewcom) October 8, 2021
“I don’t think he’s dumb. I don’t think he’s a liar,” Gruden said. “I don’t have a racial bone in my body, and I’ve proven that for 58 years.”
Smith’s statement to The Wall Street Journal explained how revealing Gruden’s comments are.
More of The Same
“This is not the first racist comment that I’ve heard and it probably will not be the last. This is a thick skin job for someone with dark skin, just like it always has been for many people who look like me and work in corporate America,” Smith said.
“You know people are sometimes saying things behind your back that are racist just like you see people talk and write about you using thinly coded and racist language.”
“Racism like this comes from the fact that I’m at the same table as they are and they don’t think someone who looks like me belongs,” Smith said. “I’m sorry my family has to see something like this but I would rather they know. I will not let it define me.”
Jon Gruden after the Raiders go .500 again pic.twitter.com/l86FhC49op
— Kyle Ledbetter (@CSM_MemesInsta) October 8, 2021
On Friday, the NFLPA player representatives voted to extend Smith’s contract scheduled to expire in 2022.
The Fallout
According to reports, the NFL is reviewing Gruden’s status with the Raiders for potential discipline. Additionally, the NFL revealed during the investigation into workplace misconduct at the Washington Football Team, it was “informed of the existence of emails that raised issues beyond the scope of that investigation.”
“The email from Jon Gruden denigrating DeMaurice Smith is appalling, abhorrent and wholly contrary to the NFL’s values,” the NFL said. “We condemn the statement and regret any harm that its publication may inflict on Mr. Smith or anyone else.”
Raiders owner Mark Davis gave a statement to The Wall Street Journal on Friday saying the content of the email is “disturbing and not what the Raiders stand for.”
“We were first made aware of the email late yesterday by a reporter and are reviewing it along with other materials provided to us today by the NFL,” the statement said. “We are addressing the matter with Coach Gruden and will have no further comment at this time.”
