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Report: Jon Gruden used racist comment in referring to NFLPA head DeMaurice Smith in 2011 email

Las Vegas Raiders coach Jon Gruden used a racist comment in referring to NFL Players Association executive director DeMaurice Smith in an email 10 years ago, the Wall Street Journal reported Friday.

The email, sent to the president of the Washington Football Team in July 2011 as the NFL and its players were in the midst of trying to resolve a lockout, said Smith had "lips the size of michellin tires," the Journal reported, saying it has reviewed the email.

Gruden, who was employed at the time as the lead analyst for Monday Night Football, told ESPN he did not recall writing the email but apologized for the fallout.