Las Vegas Raiders head coach Jon Gruden has resigned over reports he used homophobic, racist and misogynistic language in emails while he worked as an ESPN analyst. Gruden has coached the Raiders since the 2018 season. Critics had called for him to be fired after The Wall Street Journal reported that he used racially insensitive language in a 2011 email to describe DeMaurice Smith, executive director of NFL Players Association. The New York Times reported it reviewed more emails and said it found he denounced women being employed as on-field officials and a team drafting an openly gay player.
"I love the Raiders and do not want to be a distraction. ... I'm sorry, I never meant to hurt anyone," Gruden said in a statement.