The Bucs want nothing to do with Jon Gruden after he was fired as Las Vegas Raiders head coach for sending racially-insensitive and homophobic emails.
The fact that Gruden felt comfortable sending such emails is a concern to say the least, but that’s a story for another day. The NFL discovered Gruden’s emails in a subsequent investigation into the Washington Football Team’s toxic culture, and owner Dan Snyder.
Gruden announced his resignation on Monday night, stating he never mean to hurt anyone. His intentions are irrelevant at this juncture, and had he not resigned on his own, he surely would’ve been forced out by owner Mark Davis or even Roger Goodell.
Just one day after Gruden’s resignation, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers are removing any and all trace that he was ever a franchise icon.
Buccaneers removed Jon Gruden from Ring of Honor
“The Tampa Bay Buccaneers have advocated for purposeful change in the areas of race relations, gender equality, diversity and inclusion for many years. While we acknowledge Jon Gruden’s contributions on the field, his actions go against our core values as an organization. Therefore, he will no longer continue to be a member of the Buccaneers Ring of Honor,” the team said in a statement.
By separating Gruden’s on-field accomplishments from his disgusting views off of it, the Buccaneers do not take anything away from the team itself, which won a Super Bowl in 2003.
Gruden is the winningest coach in Buccaneers franchise history, with a career record of 57-55. One can only hope that record falls as well.
