Why is Jon Gruden back in the Buccaneers Ring of Honor? Explaining Tampa Bay’s decision to honor controversial coach

After four years out of the spotlight for reasons completely of his own doing, Jon Gruden is getting a chance to recoup one of his greatest accomplishments — a spot in the Buccaneers’ Ring of Honor.

The 61-year-old, who served on Tampa Bay’s sideline for seven years as the organization’s head coach, was officially reinstated into the franchise’s Ring of Honor on Thursday, a little less than four years after he was first taken off the famed apparatus.

Gruden, alongside Bruce Arians, is one of the Buccaneers’ greatest-ever figures. He enjoyed a lavish career in west-central Florida, even nabbing the Lombardi Trophy in 2002. His initial placement on the Ring of Honor was understandable.

But in 2021, Gruden’s emails were leaked to the public. He was found to have used racist, homophobic, and misogynistic language, leading to his ouster as Raiders head coach.

Here’s what you need to know about Gruden’s return to the forefront of Buccaneers’ luminaries, as well as the controversy that surrounded his initial dismissal.

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Why is Jon Gruden back in the Buccaneers Ring of Honor?

Gruden’s name was scrubbed off of Tampa Bay’s Ring of Honor in 2021 after emails emerged showing the then-Raiders boss using racist, homophobic, and misogynistic terms back in 2018.

Gruden resigned after the content of the emails was revealed to the public. His penchant for film study remains four years after his departure, with Gruden lending his expertise to a podcast, “Gruden Loves Football.” He also inked a multi-year deal with Barstool Sports, offering knowledge and analysis for the company’s content creators.

Gruden remained a pariah in the Buccaneers’ front office for some time, but following former defensive coordinator Monte Kiffin’s death, the freeze between former coach and former employer began to melt.

According to the Tampa Bay Times, Monte’s son — Ole Miss boss Lane Kiffin — spoke about this father’s willingness to forgive those who had wronged him. The Glazer family, who own Tampa Bay, soon offered an olive branch to Gruden, inviting him and his wife to the Bucs’ home matchup with the 49ers on Nov. 10.

“I got a chance to get reconnected this (past) season at a game with the Buccaneers,” Gruden said. “Some of my best memories in life were at Raymond James Stadium with the Bucs, and it’s a great feeling and a great honor.”

Tampa Bay declined to offer a specific reason for its change of heart, simply asserting (via statement) that Gruden’s accomplishments, including hoisting the Super Bowl 37 trophy, earned his reinstatement. Work crews will reportedly return to Raymond James Stadium to scrawl his name along the wall of the stadium in which he enjoyed so much success. No new ceremony will be given.

“All I can say is that it’s a great honor,” Gruden said (via Tampa Bay Times). “And I’m very appreciative.”

What did Jon Gruden do?

Gruden used racist, sexist, homophobic, and transphobic language in emails, which the Times reports dated from 2010-18 before Gruden was hired by the Raiders for his second stint with the team. Per the Times, he often called NFL commissioner Roger Goodell a “f—t” and a “clueless anti-football p—y.” He also used homophobic slurs to describe NFL owners, coaches, and reporters who cover the league.

MORE: Revisiting the email scandal that ended Jon Gruden’s coaching career

Gruden levied bigoted insults at a number of sources, including Michael Sam and former NFLPA executive director DeMaurice Smith. He fired off additional barbs at Caitlyn Jenner, Roger Goodell, and Barack Obama. Even Eric Reid and Congress caught a bit of flak, with Gruden asserting that the former— who protested during the national anthem — should have been fired for his political views. The latter, meanwhile, faced his ire after attempting to pass a bill that would demand Washington changes its former nickname, the Redskins.

“I was in a bad frame of mind at the time (in 2011), and I called Roger Goodell a (expletive) in one of these emails too,” Gruden told ESPN in 2021. “They were keeping players and coaches from doing what they love with a lockout. There also were a lot of things being reported publicly about the safety of the sport that I love. I was on a mission with high school football (in the Tampa, Fla., area) during that time, and there were a lot of parents who were scared about letting their kids play football. It just didn’t sit well with me.”

Gruden reached out to some of the people he delivered offensive epithets toward, including Smith. Nevertheless, he resigned from his post as Las Vegas coach on Oct. 11, 2021.

Jon Gruden record with Buccaneers

Gruden posted a 57-55 record in Tampa Bay, climbing the NFL mountaintop with his side’s 2002 Super Bowl win.