Former Las Vegas Raiders head coach Jon Gruden resigned over a series of emails that contained racist and misogynistic remarks that were uncovered back in 2021. What was written in those emails was unbecoming of a man in his leadership position, and anyone with his level of authority should act in a way that is above reproach.
Since this series of events unfolded, Gruden has been completely ostracized and ridiculed by the NFL. But in recent weeks, he has come forward and voiced his desire to come back and have a second shot at coaching at football’s highest stage.
Jon Gruden at the Little Rock Touchdown club commenting on the emails that ended his NFL coaching career. pic.twitter.com/1ClcWtdTRn
— Steve Sullivan (@sully7777) August 30, 2022
One of his former players, Raiders wide receiver Andre Rison, thinks he should be given that second opportunity.
Rison, who retired after the 2000 season after playing under Gruden (who was coaching the Raiders at the time), told TMZ that he believes the NFL was too swift in their judgment of Gruden and that he would be happy to see Gruden at the helm of another football team.
“For some reason in today’s time, everybody think they’re God now because social media and whatever other platforms that they can voice their opinions,” Rison said. “God gave him the gift to coach and it’s up to him and God if he repents, and forgives for his negatives and his faults and his defaults, I have no problem with it.”
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Rison is onto something. Everyone is going to make mistakes in the NFL and say less than admirable things; every honest player, coach, GM, and owner would tell you they’ve let a couple of unsavory words come out their mouths over the years, especially in a football context. Gruden’s actions, while certainly unbecoming, are similar to what a lot of other people likely have said over the years.
While that doesn’t excuse Gruden’s emails, it does continue to raise the question of what kind of behavioral standard the NFL is trying to set for its employees, especially when domestic abusers and drug users still have jobs (like Tyreek Hill and Josh Gordon). If people like them are given second chances, then Gruden most definitely deserves another shot.
Female ESPN Reporter Announces She Will Transition to Being a Man https://t.co/6OwJQxZFcG
— MRCTV (@mrctv) September 4, 2022