Report says Raiders’ coach Gruden used racist remark

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 Las Vegas 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.

NBA

CAVALIERS FALL TO PACERS

Ricky Rubio had another strong game off the bench for the Cavaliers, but Cleveland felt to 1-2 in preseason play with a 109-100 loss to the Pacers.

Rubio scored 14 points to go with two steals and two assists. He was one of four Cavaliers in double-figures, the others being Dylan Windler (12), Lauri Markkanen (11) and Collin Sexton

10).

Rubio, Windler and Markkanen all came off the bench. Cleveland only trailed by four, 63-59, but were outscored in the third quarter, 23-16.

Fifteen different Cavaliers scored in the game. Malcolm Brogdon had 27 for Indiana.