Head coach Jon Gruden of the Las Vegas Raiders reacts to the crowd during warmups before a preseason game against the Seattle Seahawks at Allegiant Stadium on August 14, 2021 in Las Vegas, Nevada.
Ethan Miller | Getty Images
Former Las Vegas Raiders coach Jon Gruden, who resigned last month after revelations that he had made racist, homophobic and misogynistic comments, is suing the NFL and Commissioner Roger Goodell.
“Through a malicious and orchestrated campaign, the NFL and Commissioner Roger Goodell sought to destroy the career and reputation of Jon Gruden, the former head coach of the Las Vegas Raiders,” said the lawsuit filed Thursday in Clark County District Court in Nevada.
The lawsuit also alleges that Gruden was “forced” to resign.
NFL spokesperson Brian McCarthy on Friday called Gruden’s allegations “entirely meritless” and said it “will vigorously defend against these claims.”
Gruden’s move to take legal action comes after reports that his emails included a past racist remark about NFL players’ union head DeMaurice Smith, as well as sexist and homophobic language.
