Aqib Talib Responds to Jon Gruden Email Controversy, Says He’s Not a Racist

Former NFL cornerback Aqib Talib, who was drafted by the Buccaneers and knows Jon Gruden personally, responded to the email controversy surrounding his former head coach.  He was asked about the whole situation on his podcast, "Call to the Booth."

Talib isn't buying that Gruden is a racist.  He pointed to a story about Gruden calling him a few months ago to give him some pointers to help him in his transition from the field to broadcasting.

 

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Everything has context.  The so-called racist trope isn't that.  As Talib points out, if Gruden was a racist he's not placing that phone call to offer up pointers.

If Gruden just said those things about DeMaurice Smith that would be one thing, but he was talking about Smith being a liar he wasn't talking about his physical appearance.

The homophobic comments and comments about female referees don't have that same context.  Anyone trying to turn Gruden's comments about Smith into the same thing he said about gay players and female referees isn't being honest.