Seth Udinski, FISM News
[elfsight_social_share_buttons id=”1″]
John Gruden, coach of the Las Vegas Raiders, announced that he was resigning from his position after several emails surfaced in which he appeared to use racist and offensive language.
The New York Times and Wall Street Journal both broke stories revealing the content of several old emails from Gruden. In one of the emails he reportedly said that NFL Players Association executive director DeMaurice Smith had “lips the size of Michelin tires.” Gruden defended himself by claiming that he often says someone who lies has “rubber lips” and that the comment was not meant to be racist.
However, late Monday he resigned due to the reports, saying “I love the Raiders and do not want to be a distraction.” Gruden also apologized for his words, saying he never meant to hurt anyone.
Raider’s owner Mark Davis announced that he had accepted Gruden’s resignation:
— Las Vegas Raiders (@Raiders) October 12, 2021
Assistant coach Rich Bisaccia will step in as the interim head coach effective immediately.
Gruden leaves the Raiders without a winning season in his second stint with the team. He had coached the Raiders in the early 2000s to success, but never reached the Super Bowl. He was fired in 2001 but then returned to his position in 2018 after signing a massive 10-year contract. His return was celebrated in the Raiders’ organization and was supposed to bring the proud franchise back to its winning ways, but he could not deliver and will disgracefully leave the team only four years into his 10-year contract.
The Raiders sit at 3-2 in the 2021 season, good enough currently for only third place in the strong AFC West. They sit behind the Los Angeles Chargers and the Denver Broncos in the division.