Raiders Coach Jon Gruden Resigns After Release of Anti-LGBTQ, Misogynistic Emails

The Raiders fired coach Jon Gruden on Monday night after the release of emails containing racist, anti-LGBTQ and misogynistic comments.

Raiders coach Jon Gruden resigned Monday after the release of numerous offensive emails he sent from 2010 to 2018.

The New York Times published a report Monday evening detailing a number of emails featuring misogynistic, racist and anti-LGBTQ language sent by Gruden. A Wall Street Journal report was released last week in which Gruden used a racist trope to describe executive director of the NFL Players Association DeMaurice Smith.

Gruden reportedly referred to NFL commissioner Roger Goodell as a "clueless anti football p---y" as well as a "f----t" in the emails released by the New York Times. He also claimed the NFL pressured the then-St. Louis Rams to draft Michael Sam, a gay player selected in 2014. Gruden also "criticized Goodell and the league for trying to reduce concussions and said that Eric Reid, a player who had demonstrated during the playing of the national anthem, should be fired," per the Times.

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

Jon Gruden statement: “I have resigned as 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, staff, and fans of Raider Nation. I’m sorry, I never meant to hurt anyone.”

— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) October 12, 2021

Raiders owner Mark Davis met with Gruden early Monday evening, per Schefter. The meeting ended with Gruden's tenure as Las Vegas's head coach coming to an end. 

Raiders owner Mark Davis arrived at the team’s facility a couple of hours ago and went to find Jon Gruden, per source. The two men met. And Gruden no longer will be the Raiders’ head coach.

— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) October 12, 2021

Gruden has not addressed the Times's report as of Monday evening. He told the WSJ he was "really sorry," before adding "I don’t have a racial bone in my body."

“I was upset,” Gruden WSJ. “I used a horrible way of explaining it. I don’t think he’s dumb. I don’t think he’s a liar. I don’t have a racial bone in my body, and I’ve proven that for 58 years.” 

Gruden is 22–31 as Raiders head coach since 2018. Las Vegas enters Sunday's matchup with the Broncos at 3–2 following back-to-back losses to the Chargers and Bears. The Raiders will elevate Rich Bisaccia as the team's interim head coach, according to Schefter.