Mike Tomlin spent years under Jon Gruden with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, so the Pittsburgh Steelers head coach couldn't help but be shocked and saddened about his resignation from the Las Vegas Raiders in the aftermath of his email scandal.
The Steelers tactician, who spent four years as the Buccaneers' defensive backs coach under Gruden, was at a loss for words on how to describe the situation. He was simply in disbelief of how things turned out for the person he considers his mentor.
“I'm just saddened by it,” Tomlin said, per CBS Sports. “I'm saddened for the Raiders organization, I'm saddened for the people that were offended by it, I'm saddened for Coach Gruden. It's a sad commentary. And that's really the only opinion that I care to share at this juncture.”
Mike Tomlin was still full of high praises for Jon Gruden earlier in the season before the Steelers faced the Raiders in Week 2. However, things have turned for the worse for Gruden, who has now resigned as head coach of the Las Vegas squad.
For those not in the know, several reports have revealed Gruden's email from years back. Some of his emails contained racist, misogynistic and homophobic remarks. One email showed Gruden mocking NFLPA executive director DeMaurice Smith with a racist trope, describing his “lips the size of Michellin tires.”
In another leak, Gruden reportedly called NFL commissioner Roger Goodell a “clueless anti football pussy,” amongst other names.
Aside from his resignation as coach, Gruden's fall from grace hasn't stopped. The Tampa Bay Buccaneers have removed him from their Ring of Honor, while EA Sports confirmed his removal from Madden 22.
Tomlin has nothing but respect and admiration for Gruden, who is certainly a big reason why he is a head coach with the Steelers now. However, he knows what the ex-Raiders boss said is wrong and unacceptable in today's society. As he said, it's just a saddening turnout of events.
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