One of the offseason’s most notable off-the-field storylines, the legal dispute between ex-Raiders head coach Jon Gruden and the NFL most recently took a turn in May. The league’s motion to send the impending court battle to arbitration was denied, though it has appealed that ruling. 
While both parties wait for the appeals process to officially begin, the NFL has formally claimed that the emails Gruden sent to Bruce Allen – which ultimately forced him to resign last October – were not reflective of an isolated period. Instead, the league’s representatives argued, Gruden “continued to send the same kinds of derogatory emails consistently following his start date with the Raiders,” as detailed by Pro Football Talk’s Mike Florio.
The original leaked emails exclusively dated back to Gruden’s time with ESPN, so the allegation that a similar pattern stretching into his second stint with the Raiders is significant. As his attorney noted, however, such a claim was not made in time for the arbitration ruling to made, meaning that the league cannot use any evidence it finds on the matter as part of its continued argument against a trial in open court.
The fact that the league nevertheless made the accusation contributes further to what Gruden’s agent, Bob Lamonte, termed a ‘hit-job’ against him. “That’s why if this were to go to trial, it would be devastating for the National Football League,” he said in a separate Florio piece. The threat of widespread PR fallout has led some to believe that Gruden will coach again in the NFL at some point, something the 59-year-old has expressed a desire for.
Making his first public remarks since the legal battle, Gruden said, via ESPN’s Paul Gutierrez, “I’m ashamed about what has come about in these emails, and I’ll make no excuses for it. It’s shameful. But I am a good person. I believe that… I’ve made some mistakes. But I don’t think anybody in here hasn’t. And I just ask for forgiveness, and hopefully, I get another shot.”
It remains to be seen when a resolution will be reached with respect to the league’s appeal, and, subsequently, when this situation will move forward. In the meantime, Gruden could remain a name worth watching on the coaching market down the road.
If he only would have killed somebody or sexually assaulted dozens of women he would have a job yesterday and a huge pay raise. Unfortunately he said some things that were offensive. For that he must be executed.
Not really, he’s just a coach. Good players are more valuable than coaches, just ask the Patriots how many Superbowls BB has taken them to since Brady left. If Gruden were a franchise QB like Watson, he’d have a job.
who killed somebody and still has a job in the nfl?
Ray Lewis did, Dante Stallworth did. Have to see if Ruggs gets another chance.
The Blades Bros 3 went in 2 came out one had a shotgun blast to him. They claimed a mask guy climbed in through the window. He shot the guy who was their cousin. It has been awhile so facts might be a bit different. Old man memory.
And what coach did?
Leonard Little, DE, killed a lady drunk driving, came back and played
I hope he wins and buries the NFL. Tarnish the shield more
Gruden doesn’t have the stones to stand in front of a room full of black players who now know he’s a racist.
Period.
He’s saying so in the hopes the NFL will just pay to make this and him go away quietly and stay gone.
I think he does. I also think he has a lot of information to incriminate a lot of others in the NFL as well. And a lot of those black players are also racists. Racism isn’t a one way street or exclusive to one race of people.
NFL players will share a locker room with rapists, sexual predators, abusers, etc. Why not a racist? These guys don’t care, assuming he treats them with respect. They just keep their heads down and play ball.
“Can I play, Coach?”
“Yeah.”
“I love you man, best coach I ever played for!”
Forwhomjoshbelltolled,
Unfortunately you are way wrong! I know Jon Gruden personally and he does have the stones to stand in front of Black players and apaologize for what was said or written. Jon is a no non sense type guy and he will tell you what he feels no matter the consequences! Jon is all about winning and passion for pro football! He believes that calling out his players to get the best result on the field. What he did was wrong and foolish and he shouldn’t have done that! But, sometimes in the passion of the moment and commitment to winning makes you say things you shouldn’t sometimes. Everyone makes mistakes just ask some people in prison who get another shot at freedom. All this man has to do is stand up in front of all NFL reps and players and apologize for what he did and he will definitely get another shot!
Guy who claims to know Gruden and defends him…and never once says “he’s NOT racist” as part of that defense.
gruden he suck
Everyone knows this was a Roger Goodell hit job.
I nevertheless don’t want to see Gruden in the NFL again, as he is an over-rated loudmouth – thus I hope he wins hundreds of millions in the lawsuit and then disappears.
My thoughts exactly. He was a terrible coach the second time around who thought he was the smartest man in the room. But what the NFL did was super dirty and needs to be called out in open court.
Gruden did nothing wrong. He’ll win this easy.
The NFL “leaked” these emails to go after Gruden. He’s an idiot but the NFL is a criminal organization.
I miss Gruden terribly, the league is poorer without him as far as I am concerned
Well Gruden is not a good coach the team he won the SB with was not his. Totally took another man’s team and won. How much money did he get from Davis on the absurd contract he signed. He will have a hard time getting that much from another team. I doubt any of the channels will hire him either. He should go down to Florida next to Jimmie and fish and drink beer. Chuckie might be into umbrella drinks don’t know.
Cowboys will sign Gruden after they fire McCarthy at the end of the year.
Goodell: “I need to do a “hit job” on someone so who will it be? Luca Brasi is sleeping with the fishes so he’s out. I guess I’ll have to rule out Sonny and Fredo too. Maybe I should just settle for whacking Chucky.”
Future head coach of Prager University.