Las Vegas Raiders head coach Jon Gruden resigned Monday (October 11) after the release of emails in which he used homophobic, racist, and misogynistic language.
The emails surfaced in a New York Times report that detailed the messages Gruden sent between 2010 and 2018 and came after the coach's attempt to walk back prior racist comments he made. Following the release of The Times' report that included the additional messages, Gruden confirmed his resignation in a statement.
"I have resigned as the head coach of the Las Vegas Raiders. I love the Raiders and do not want to be a distraction. Thank you to all the players, coaches, and staff, and fans of Raider Nation. I'm sorry, I never meant to hurt anyone," the statement reads, according to ESPN's Adam Schefter.
NFL officials first learned of the messages during an investigation into former Washington Football Team president Bruce Allen over workplace misconduct. Gruden was not at the center of the investigation, as he was not in the league at the time.
Gruden had previously faced backlash after an email he sent to Allen in 2011 in which he called NFL Player Association executive director DeMaurice Smith "rubber lips." Gruden, who was an analyst on Monday Night Football at the time, tried to walk back the comments saying he uses the term to call someone a liar and apologized last week, stating he doesn't "have a racist bone in my body" before the other messages leaked.
According to The Times, those messages were sent before Gruden was hired as head coach for the Raiders. The messages including calling NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell a "f–––t" and a "clueless anti football p––y." Gruden frequently used homophobic language to describe NFL owners, coaches, and sports reporters, according to The Times.
Messages between Gruden and Allen included topless photos of women, including two Washington Football Team cheerleaders. He also reportedly complained about other league issues including the NFL's efforts to reduce concussions on the field and said that Eric Reid –– who protested police brutality and racial inequality during the National Anthem –– should be fired.
In 2018, Gruden signed a 10-year, $100 million contract with the Raiders, whose roster includes Carl Nassib, the first openly gay NFL player.
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