Jon Gruden’s Leaked Emails Force Raiders Head Coach To Resign

Jon Gruden resigned as the Las Vegas Raiders head coach Monday amid leaked emails in which he made offensive comments about Black and gay players.

The New York Times reported examples of Gruden using homophobic, misogynistic and racist language in emails to the former Washington Football Team president Bruce Allen from 2011-2018. Gruden was not coaching in the NFL at the time of the comments.

The Wall Street Journal reported Friday that Gruden told Allen that NFL Players Association executive director DeMaurice Smith, who is Black, has “lips the size of michellin tires” in a 2011 email.

Monday’s New York Times report included an email in which Gruden called NFL Comissioner Roger Goodell an anti-gay slur, among other derogatory comments. Gruden also said that Goodell shouldn’t have pressured the Rams to draft “queers,” referencing the team’s decision to draft Michael Sam, an openly gay player, in 2014.

Before stepping down, Gruden coached the NFL’s only active openly gay player in defensive end Carl Nassib.

“I have resigned as Head Coach of the Las Vegas Raiders,” Gruden said in a statement. “I love the Raiders and do not want to be a distraction. Thank you to all the players, coaches, staff, and fans of Raider Nation. I’m sorry, I never meant to hurt anyone.”

According to the Times, Gruden was also critical of Goodell in emails for trying to reduce concussions.

Gruden’s emails were reviewed as part of the league’s investigation into alleged workplace misconduct within Washington’s organization. Allen, who was fired by Washington after the 2019 season, used his team email account during the exchanges with Gruden.

Gruden worked for ESPN as an analyst on “Monday Night Football” from 2009-2017. Gruden started a second stint as the Raiders head coach in 2018, reportedly signing a 10-year, $100 million contract.

Assistant coach Rich Bisaccia will replace Gruden as the Raiders' interim head coach.