Reported remarks by Gruden draw rebuke

A report that Jon Gruden used a racist comment about NFL Players Association leader DeMaurice Smith in an email 10 years ago drew a strong and quick rebuke Friday from the NFL.

A Wall Street Journal story noted that Gruden, then working for ESPN and now coach of the Raiders, referred in a racist way to Smith’s facial features.

“The email from Jon Gruden denigrating DeMaurice Smith is appalling, abhorrent and wholly contrary to the NFL’s values,” NFL spokesman Brian McCarthy said. “We condemn the statement and regret any harm that its publication may inflict on Mr. Smith or anyone else.”

The league is looking into the matter and a person familiar with that probe told The Associated Press that disciplinary action is possible for Gruden. The person spoke on condition of anonymity because details of any league probe are not made public.

“Dumboriss Smith has lips the size of michellin tires,” Gruden wrote in the email reviewed by the newspaper.

The Panthers have listed running back Christian McCaffrey as doubtful for Sunday’s game against the Eagles . ... Rookie quarterback Trey Lance will make his first start for the 49ers after Jimmy Garoppolo was ruled out of this week’s game with a calf injury . ... The NFL accused Cowboys offensive lineman La’el Collins of trying to bribe a drug-testing official before the player was suspended five games for a violation of the substanceabuse policy, according to court documents released Friday.

NBA: Kyrie Irving could join the Nets at practice this weekend after a ruling that their practice facility doesn’t fall under a New York coronavirus vaccination mandate. The Nets were told Friday that the training center is considered a private facility. The city’s vaccine mandate requires pro athletes practicing or playing in public venues to be vaccinated against COVID-19.