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Las Vegas Raiders coach Jon Gruden on Sunday addressed the controversy over a 2011 email in which he allegedly used racist language to describe NFL Players Association chief DeMaurice Smith.
Gruden was repeatedly asked about the email during his post-game press conference following the team’s loss to the Chicago Bears. He said he wasn’t going to spend the whole night talking about it.
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“All I can say is I’m not a racist. I can’t tell you how sick I am. I apologize again to De Smith. But I feel good with who I am. am and what I’ve been doing my whole life. I apologize again for the callous remarks. I had no racial intent with those remarks, “he said, via The Athletic.
Las Vegas Raiders head coach Jon Gruden chats with quarterback Derek Carr (4) during the second half against the Los Angeles Chargers at SoFi Stadium.
(Robert Hanashiro-USA TODAY Sports)
“I’m not going to answer all of these questions today.… I think I’ve answered them already. I don’t remember a lot of things that happened 10 or 12 years ago. But I hold on. here in front of everyone to apologize. I know I don’t have a shred of racism in me. I’m a guy who takes pride in leading people together, and I will continue to do so for the rest of my life . And once again, I apologize to De Smith and everyone I have offended. “
The email regarding Smith was first obtained by the Wall Street Journal. The report says the email was sent to Washington football president Bruce Allen amid the lockdown.
NFL spokesman Brian McCarthy told The Wall Street Journal during a review of emails regarding the Washington football team’s work misconduct investigation, that the NFL was “aware of the existence of emails raising issues beyond the scope of this investigation ”.
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Las Vegas Raiders head coach Jon Gruden speaks on his helmet during the first half of an NFL football game against the Chicago Bears on Sunday, October 10, 2021, in Las Vegas.
NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell added: “Over the past few months, under the direction of the Commissioner, senior NFL officials have reviewed the content of more than 650,000 emails, including this email. which was sent to a club employee. Earlier this week, executives presented a summary of that review to the commissioner and are sharing emails with Raiders executives regarding Coach Gruden. “
Rod Graves, executive director of the Fritz Pollard Alliance, a nonprofit whose mission is to “champion diversity in the National Football League,” said in a statement that the NFL and the Raiders must respond to Gruden’s remarks by a “remedy commensurate with these painful words.”
“Jon Gruden’s callous remarks about DeMaurice Smith are indicative of the racism that exists at many levels of professional sport,” said Graves. Furthermore, it reveals that the journey of African Americans and other minorities in sport is riddled with irrepressible moods at the highest level. We hope that league and team ownership will address this issue. with a remedy commensurate with those painful words. This is yet another inflection point in a society full of cynical social blinders, with no respect for the intellectual capacity and leadership of minorities. When will this end ? “
Las Vegas Raiders head coach John Gruden reacts during the first half against the Chicago Bears at Allegiant Stadium on October 10, 2021 in Las Vegas, Nevada.
(Photo by Ethan Miller / Getty Images)
Raiders team owner Mark Davis also sentenced Gruden.
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“The content of an email regarding Jon Gruden’s DeMaurice Smith when he worked for ESPN 10 years ago is disturbing and is not what the Raiders represent. Documents provided to us today by the NFL. We are discussing the matter with Coach Gruden and will have no further comment at this time, ”Davis said in a statement.
Las Vegas lost Sunday 20-9.
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