… I know a lot of people may want to cancel him,” Waller said. “I’m somebody that comes from the space that I want to offer grace and allow them to learn from what they may have done. Waller also said he carries a sense of not wanting to completely shun Gruden. I just feel in that moment, a lot of people didn’t know what to do. But at the same time, I was like, 'OK I understand how he may have took what he was trying to say or communicate a little too far.' I’m not necessarily bothered by that, the racism wasn’t enough racism and was being overlooked per se. “He (Gruden) came into the room and admitted and explained his thinking behind it (the first email),” Waller said. Waller said he didn’t take it personally that Gruden resigned after the second phase of the emails had been reported, rather than having the racist remark be enough for action by the team or Gruden. At that time, only Gruden’s use of a racial trope when referring to NFLPA executive director DeMaurice Smith had become public. But tight end Darren Waller admitted being conflicted heading into last Sunday’s game. No one from the Raiders - general manager Mike Mayock, coaches or players - pointed to the Gruden situation as the reason for losing in Week 5 to the Bears. Hopefully not too many, but maybe that’s what they should do for all coaches and GMs and owners from now and see what happens.”ĭefensive end Carl Nassib, the NFL's first openly gay player, took an excused personal day away from the team Wednesday. "No one’s perfect, if we just started opening up everyone’s private emails and texts people would start sweating. “I love the man, I hate the sin," quarterback Derek Carr said. Raiders players and interim head coach Rich Bisaccia spoke publicly Wednesday for the first time since head coach Jon Gruden resigned Monday after emails surfaced recently where Gruden used racist, homophobic and sexist language over several years while working as an analyst on ESPN's "Monday Night Football."