Gruden Resigns As Raiders Coach Amidst Email Controversy
Jon Gruden has resigned as head coach of the Las Vegas Raiders after a series of emails were uncovered in which Gruden made a number of comments that were deemed to be racist, misogynistic, and homophobic.
Gruden was already under scrutiny for the first set of emails from 2011 when he made disparaging comments about NFL commissioner Roger Goodell and also about NFL Players Association president DeMaurice Smith, who is black.
The New York Times then published a report detailing more emails that Gruden sent to the president of the Washington football team, Bruce Allen. In those emails Gruden made comments demeaning gay players, women referees, and players who chose to protest injustice in America by kneeling during the national anthem. Those emails were sent between 2011 and 2018.
Raiders owner Mark Davis went to the Raiders practice facility yesterday to speak with Gruden who subsequently gave his resignation. Gruden said in a statement that he “loves the Raiders” and didn’t want to be a distraction.
Raiders assistant head coach Rich Bisaccia has been named interim head coach and is expected to coach the team for the rest of the season.
