If making an apology is an art, there is no less Basquiat than Jon Gruden. Until October 11, Gruden was the head coach of the Raiders, the professional Las Vegas football team. This is following an investigation by New York Times unveiling a series of racist, misogynistic and homophobic emails signed and sent by Gruden 10 years ago that this well-known NFL figure left the league.
“I resigned my job as head coach of the Las Vegas Raiders. I love the Raiders and I don’t want to be a distraction. Thank you to the players, coaches, staff and supporters of the Raider Nation. I’m sorry, I never meant to hurt anyone. So that’s how, in a tweet posted by what was now his former team, Jon Gruden said his farewell. He had been just as tasteless not long before at a press conference. There, too, there is no trace of the slightest hint of the will to correct one’s wrongs, and of repentance.
Despite his departure, the NFL cannot simply wash its hands of Jon Gruden, as it has made it possible for this vile character to not only succeed in the league, but to be prosperous there, creating an environment in which to hold such hateful and hurtful talk was possible and tolerated. This environment still exists, and there are other Jon Grudens in this league.
Sports leagues aren’t perfect – they don’t have to be. But they can become exemplary. Often a microcosm of the societies that support them, they have the power to influence and, above all, they have the means and can afford to be testing laboratories.
Jon Gruden is not a victim of the culture of erasure or that of cancellation – principles which do not really exist, but which, all the same, seem to excite polemicists. Rather, let’s talk about the culture of consequence, as it was dubbed by journalist Brian Stelter last year.
The consequences cannot be the same for all those guilty of a crime, a deviation, a slip, an indecency. Because quite simply, these crimes, these deviations, these slippages, these indecencies are not all the same. And, those who commit them are not all Jon Gruden. Some are capable of regrets and wish to do better, to become better. Some are Michael Vicks.
In 2007, the former star quarterback was convicted of funding and organizing dog fights. Some time after serving an 18-month prison sentence, Vick – who had never ceased to be remorseful since the start of his setbacks – was caught under the wing of the former head coach Tony Dungy, who served as his mentor. Then Andy Reid – who was the head coach of another team – decided to draft him, giving him a second chance. But it all came with hard work on Vick’s part. It is a rehabilitation that has been supported by trainings with animal rights groups, school tours, advocacy with the US Congress for the passage of an anti-dog fight law, and support from the influential NGO PETA (People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals).
It’s a rehabilitation that a Logan Mailloux is capable of, for example. A principle that many supporters would have accepted, if the Montreal Canadiens had presented it proactively, before the draft and not in an emergency, during a communication crisis management.
What we need to determine, collectively, is perhaps some sort of social Richter scale. It could serve as a compass for us to assess the consequences and to consider a possible rehabilitation. The measure ? On a scale of 1 to Jon Gruden, for example. Or, on a scale of 1 to Bill Cosby – he who has committed multiple crimes and has always refused to admit his guilt.
The Grudens and Cosby do not deserve the privilege of returning to the circles that made them rich and famous. But we need to be able to make room for those who no longer wish to be assholes. Those who want to do better and those who have the will to become better. Those who want to correct the incorrigible, even if it is impossible. And those whose past sprains can one day heal. A healing, I believe, that would benefit all of us.
What do you think? Express your opinion