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- A report from the Wall Street Journal has revealed that Jon Gruden made racist comments about NFLPA head DeMaurice Smith.
- The 58-year-old Las Vegas Raiders head coach compared the size of Smith’s lips to “Michellin tires.”
- Keep up with all of the latest sports news here.
Las Vegas Raiders head coach Jon Gruden has found himself in hot water after a report has revealed he made racist comments about NFLPA executive director DeMaurice Smith during the 2011 lockout. According to a report from the Wall Street Journal, Gruden — who was not a coach in the NFL at the time — called Smith “Dumboriss” while also stating that he “has lips the size of Michelin tires.”
At this time, the league is currently investigating Gruden’s comments with the Raiders to determine potential discipline. Gruden, who addressed the Raiders’ players this morning, said in a statement to the Wall Street Journal that he does not recall writing the email and that he is “really sorry.”
“I’m really sorry,” Gruden said. “I was upset. 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.”
Following the report, NFL fans took to social media to mercilessly mock the 58-year-old former Super Bowl winner for his comments about Smith, who has been the head of the National Football League Players Association since 2009.
https://twitter.com/VikingWolfMW/status/1446576884226170885
I’m gunna tell my kids this was Jon Gruden…. pic.twitter.com/Qi2Lws7S46
— Master Marco Polo 🇲🇽“El Buki Raider” (@srchilaquilles) October 8, 2021
Jon Gruden: I don’t have a racist bone in my body.
The bones: pic.twitter.com/dfNyxjBTDA
— Rod (@rodimusprime) October 8, 2021
Jon Gruden after the Raiders go .500 again pic.twitter.com/l86FhC49op
— Kyle Ledbetter (@CSM_MemesInsta) October 8, 2021
Gruden went deep in the crates for that one good lord
— Trill Withers (@TylerIAm) October 8, 2021
Jon Gruden to Urban Meyer: pic.twitter.com/tt5AHQ56ev
— The Live Action Reboot (@LiveActReboot) October 8, 2021
“Been there before brother” -Meyers Leonard to Jon Gruden
— kyle (@knicks_tape99) October 8, 2021
https://twitter.com/iam_johnw2/status/1446582649179590659
Urban Meyer reading the Jon Gruden news pic.twitter.com/8ZHuBbJc2W
— Ron Oneal (@RonOneal_) October 8, 2021
Jon gruden was out there in 2011 like… #Raiders #RaiderNation #NFL #NFLTwitter #chucky https://t.co/loRsqAa6Qm https://t.co/axdjFX0dN7 pic.twitter.com/kXsgJYmJR1
— Jalen Duele (@Wolfiethe2nd) October 8, 2021
Yikes. We about to see how much y’all like Jon Gruden. https://t.co/WnDCt1KvSF
— Van “#1 Voice in Wrestling Media” Lathan Jr (@VanLathan) October 8, 2021
In addition to Gruden, the National Football League has also released a statement condemning his “appalling” comments:
“The email from Jon Gruden denigrating DeMaurice Smith is appalling, abhorrent and wholly contrary to the NFL’s values. We condemn the statement and regret any harm that its publication may inflict on Mr. Smith or anyone else.”
Gruden’s Raiders are set to take on the Chicago Bears on Sunday afternoon, meaning Gruden will likely face tons of questioning about his comments in the coming days.