Gruden in at least one email, according to the Times, called NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell an anti-gay slur and a “clueless anti-football p—y” and argued that Goodell shouldn’t have allegedly pressured then-St. Louis Rams coach Jeff Fisher to draft “queers,” in reference to former NFL defensive lineman Michael Sam, who was the first openly gay player to be selected in the draft.

The email appeared to show a complete disconnect from Gruden’s messaging when his own player Carl Nassib came out as gay before the start of the 2021 season and became the first active openly gay NFL player.

According to the newspaper, Gruden denounced the emergence of female referees. Sarah Thomas became the first permanent female official in NFL history in 2015. Shannon Eastin had also become a replacement official during the 2012 season. In 2017, Gruden reportedly replied to a sexist meme from Hooters co-founder Ed Droste about female NFL officials and replied, “nice job roger.”