Last fall, Jon Gruden resigned as the Raiders coach amid controversy over leaked emails in which he used racist, misogynistic and anti-LGBTQ language.
Gruden remains out of the NFL as he sues the league for a “malicious and orchestrated campaign” to destroy his career, believing the NFL released the emails on purpose. However, Gruden’s agent does not believe the lack of coaching will last.
Bob LaMonte, who has represented Gruden throughout his career, believes the former Raiders coach will one day be back on the sidelines.
“I really believe in my heart and soul that he’s going to coach again,” LaMonte said, via JoeBucsFan.com “I’d be very surprised if he didn’t. My question is what did Jon actually do? Most people wouldn’t want their private emails viewed from 10 days ago. That’s why if this were to be tried, it would be disastrous for the National Football League.”
LaMonte defended his client, saying that since Gruden’s emails were private and 10 years old, and since the NFL knew about the emails long before they were leaked to the media, the former head coach should not be out of a job.
“And then why Jon and why the Raiders? He wasn’t even in the league at the time of those emails,” LaMonte said. “That’s the tragedy. You can say what you want, but if anyone really understands Jon, they know he’s not a racist. That’s pretty clear. No one would ever say that.”
In the emails released to the New York Times, Gruden was said to have called NFLPA president DeMaurice Smith a racist in 2011, and disagreed with the NFL’s hiring of female referees, teams drafting gay players and the league allowing for players to protest the national anthem. The emails were part of the NFL’s investigation into the Washington Commanders’ team culture.
The NFL filed a motion to dismiss Gruden’s lawsuit in January, but that motion was denied in May.
For more Las Vegas Raiders coverage, head over to Raider Maven.
