Jon Gruden Faces Consequences, Not Cancel Culture: Unchecked

Even Jon Gruden knew he couldn't remain coach of the Raiders after we all read his emails.

Jon Gruden is not a victim of cancel culture. Let’s get that out of the way. He resigned as Raiders coach within hours of the leaking of more of his emails because even he knew there was no way he could stay.

"I have resigned as Head Coach of the Las Vegas Raiders. I love the Raiders and do not want to be a distraction. Thank you to all the players, coaches, staff, and fans of Raider Nation. I’m sorry, I never meant to hurt anyone."

Jon Gruden

— Las Vegas Raiders (@Raiders) October 12, 2021

This man ran the gamut of offending. The words he wrote speak for themselves and there is simply no way any self respecting organization could keep him employed, particularly in a leadership position, with his insulting comments now public. A sentiment I am sure the league itself shared. He did personally attack the commissioner after all.

Jon Gruden resigned as the coach of the Las Vegas Raiders on Monday. He had denounced the emergence of women as referees, the drafting of a gay player and the tolerance of players protesting during the national anthem, a review of his emails showed. https://t.co/mNUDnhYZfd pic.twitter.com/RFyEMHiSxL

— The New York Times (@nytimes) October 12, 2021

I am not a fan of the practice of digging up people’s pasts to find something to bring them down, or the idea that a previous mistake should define someone or cost them their career. But that isn’t what happened here.

It wasn’t one old email. It was a years-long dialogue between men of considerable NFL influence. And it showcased a clear point: As the league clumsily tried to re-shape itself, Jon Gruden bashed the change. Then he willingly stepped into the path of it. https://t.co/bA4Lb4bsvi

— Charles Robinson (@CharlesRobinson) October 12, 2021

Of course Gruden intended for this communication to be private, but the fact that he put that all in writing and sent it to a then team official is staggering. To be honest, I was surprised the initial leak containing what he said about DeMaurice Smith wasn’t a bigger deal. Perhaps some bought his explanation, chalked it up as an isolated incident or just didn’t care enough.

🧵 The email from Jon Gruden – and some of the reaction to it – confirms that the fight against racism, racist tropes and intolerance is not over. This is not about an email as much as it is about a pervasive belief by some that people who look like me can be treated as less.

— DeMaurice Smith (@demauricesmith) October 11, 2021

However, the follow-up release showed this was a pattern and Gruden said these sorts of things easily and frequently over a period of years.

It was terrible of the cancel culture to create dozens of racist, homophobic, transphobic, misogynistic emails using Jon Gruden’s account all those years.

— John Pavlovitz (@johnpavlovitz) October 12, 2021

And after the investigation into the workplace of the Washington Football Team (one I’m sure many people will now be asking more about) brought Gruden’s conduct to light, the ending was inevitable.

Now that his emails have become public, Jon Gruden will, rightly, face the consequences.

And that’s why the rest of the NFL’s investigation this summer into Washington’s “toxic” work environment must now be made public, writes @JennyVrentas https://t.co/mLOEVTEBve

— Sports Illustrated (@SInow) October 12, 2021

Because if any one of us did the same we’d rightfully be canned, not canceled.