Gruden resigned as the coach of the Raiders after emails containing homophobic, misogynistic and racist language were made public

More than three years after removing Jon Gruden from the Ring of Honor, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers are walking it back. The team announced Thursday that the disgraced former head coach will return to their Ring of Honor.

The honor was rescinded in 2021, as Gruden dealt with the firestorm around his bigoted emails that lead to him resigning as head coach of the Las Vegas Raiders.

“Jon Gruden was initially inducted into the Buccaneers Ring of Honor based on his many accomplishments during his seven seasons as our head coach and he remains a significant figure in the history of our franchise,” the team wrote in a statement. “Upon further reflection, we have decided to reinstate him into the Buccaneers Ring of Honor.”

In November, Gruden was reportedly a guest of the Glazer family, who owns the Buccaneers, at Tampa Bay’s game against the San Francisco 49ers. Gruden sat in the owners’ suite for the game, with the invite reportedly marking a step toward reinstating Gruden into the Ring of Honor.

Gruden was the head coach of the Buccaneers from 2002 to 2008, leading the team to a Super Bowl victory in his first season. He was inducted into the Tampa Bay Ring of Honor in 2017, but removed four years later.

Emails from Gruden containing homophobic, misogynistic and racist language were made public in a New York Times report in October 2021, leading Gruden to eventually step away from the Raiders. Other than a consulting role with the New Orleans Saints, the former head coach has not held an official NFL position in the years since. In November, Gruden signed a multiyear deal with Barstool Sports as a commentator.

Jon Gruden is one of the most well-known and controversial figures in NFL history. He first made a name for himself as the head coach of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, leading them to a Super Bowl victory in the 2002 season. His fiery personality, deep football knowledge, and intense coaching style made him a favorite among players and fans. After his first stint with the Buccaneers, he moved into broadcasting, becoming a popular analyst on ESPN’s Monday Night Football, where his in-depth breakdowns and energetic delivery solidified his status as a football guru.

However, Gruden’s career took a dramatic turn when he returned to coaching with the Las Vegas Raiders in 2018. Hired with a massive 10-year, $100 million contract, expectations were high, but his tenure ended abruptly in 2021 after leaked emails revealed racist, homophobic, and misogynistic language. The scandal rocked the NFL, leading to his resignation and a tarnished legacy. In response, the Buccaneers quickly removed him from their Ring of Honor, distancing themselves from their former Super Bowl-winning coach.

Despite the controversy, Gruden has remained a divisive figure in the football world. Some argue that his knowledge and passion for the game should allow him a path back into coaching, while others believe his past actions should prevent him from holding any significant role in the league again. Now, with the Buccaneers reportedly reinstating him into their Ring of Honor, the debate over redemption, accountability, and second chances has reignited. Whether this decision will be embraced or condemned remains to be seen, but one thing is certain—Gruden’s name will continue to spark conversation in the NFL for years to come.