Gruden used racist trope in 2011 email about NFLPA chief, could face discipline

The NFL is reviewing possible discipline for Las Vegas Raiders head coach Jon Gruden after discovering a 2011 email in which he used a racist trope to describe NFL Players Association director DeMaurice Smith, according to the Wall Street Journal's Andrew Beaton.

"Dumboriss Smith has lips the size of Michelin tires," Gruden wrote.

Gruden was a broadcaster for Monday Night Football at the time and sent the message during the lockout. The league came across it while going through over 650,000 emails as part of an investigation that traces back to the Washington Football Team workplace culture probe from the summer.

"The email from Jon Gruden denigrating DeMaurice Smith is appalling, abhorrent, and wholly contrary to the NFL's values," the NFL said. "We condemn the statement and regret any harm that its publication may inflict on Mr. Smith or anyone else."

When reached for comment, Gruden said he didn't remember the email specifically but said "I'm really sorry" for the words he evidently chose. He added that he previously used the term "rubber lips" to describe people he believed to be lying but went "too far" when discussing Smith, who is Black.

"I was upset," Gruden said. "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."

Smith condemned the email through a statement:

This is not the first racist comment that I've heard, and it probably will not be the last. This is a thick skin job for someone with dark skin, just like it always has been for many people who look like me and work in corporate America. You know people are sometimes saying things behind your back that are racist just like you see people talk and write about you using thinly coded and racist language.

Racism like this comes from the fact that I'm at the same table as they are and they don't think someone who looks like me belongs. I'm sorry my family has to see something like this, but I would rather they know. I will not let it define me.

Smith took over as NFLPA director in 2009 and led the union through contentious labor negotiations in 2011 that resulted in a four-month work stoppage.

Gruden told reporters Friday he discussed the story with his team before it was published, according to The Athletic's Vic Tafur.

"The content of an email regarding DeMaurice Smith from Jon Gruden when he worked for ESPN 10 years ago is disturbing and not what the Raiders stand for," Raiders owner Mark Davis said in a statement. "We were first made aware of the email late (Thursday) and are reviewing it along with other materials provided to us today by the NFL. We are addressing the matter with coach Gruden and will have no further comment at this time."