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| Photo Credit: AP. |
Ex-Raiders coach Jon Gruden says he is “ashamed” of his offensive old emails that led to his departure from his football team.
Gruden spoke
about the incident at the Little Rock Touchdown Club for the first time since
he lost his job as coach in October 2021, The Associated Press reports..
His
resignation came in the aftermath of The New York Times and Wall Street Journal
of emails the former coach had sent from 2011-18 that contained racist,
homophobic and misogynistic comments, according to The Associated Press.
“I’m ashamed
about what has come about in these emails, and I’ll make no excuses for it,” he
said. “It’s shameful. But I am a good person. I believe that. I go to church.
I’ve been married for 31 years. I’ve got three great boys. I still love
football. 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,” according
to The Associated Press.
The Associated
Press quoted Raiders owner Mark Davis as saying last year that the team reached
a settlement with Gruden over the final six-plus years of his contract Terms
after the former coach abruptly resigned with more than six years remaining on
his 10 year, $100 million contract.
Gruden has
reportedly instituted a suit against the NFL, claiming a “malicious and
orchestrated campaign” was used by the league and Commissioner Roger Goodell to
destroy the former coach’s careering by leaking the old emails.
The NFL denied
allegations of leaking the emails.