Update: 6:16 p.m. ET -- The Raiders have issued a statement.
Original Story
Las Vegas Raiders head coach Jon Gruden was forced to respond Friday after a racist e-mail that he sent in 2011 emerged.
Andrew Beaton of The Wall Street Journal obtained an e-mail that Gruden sent to Bruce Allen -- then a high-ranking executive for the Washington Football Team -- in July of 2011. In it, Gruden refers to NFLPA executive director DeMaurice Smith as "Dumboriss," and uses a racial trope when talking about him.
"Dumboriss Smith has lips the size of michellin tires," Gruden said.
Gruden apologized when reached for comment on the story.
"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."
Gruden also issued a statement to Vic Tafur of The Athletic, and says he's reached out to Smith:
In Beaton's story, Smith responded.
“This is not the first racist comment that I’ve heard and it probably will not be the last.” Smith said. “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.”
The NFL issued a statement to ESPN's Adam Schefter on the matter:
Gruden, now in his second stint as head coach of the Raiders, was working for ESPN at the time of the 2011 lockout.
We will update this story as more comes in...
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