When player empowerment comes to mind, the thought probably goes to how players make power plays to get what they want. Some hold out to get more money, while others use leverage to get themselves traded from what they see as a toxic situation. While I would never fault anyone for doing what they feel is right to maximize profits, the logic behind it can be more than questioned at times. In the world of sports, situations can happen fast, to the point there’s nothing players can do about it. It’s at those moments where player empowerment takes on a whole new meeting, and we have a real life case study to see how it materializes.
The case study mentioned is the Las Vegas Raiders, who just saw their world turn upside down in a matter of days. The Raiders had to part ways with Jon Gruden, who was in the fourth of a 10-year contract (worth $100 million) as the team’s head coach. Gruden was exposed as, well, a garbage human being, in an email pattern spanning 12 years, according to The New York Times. In the emails, Gruden used racist, anti-gay and misogynistic language, and the messages themselves were uncovered as part of an NFL investigation into workplace misconduct within the Washington Football Team. The bulk of these emails were between 2011 and 2018, and a frequent member in these conversations was Bruce Allen, who was the general manager of the WFT during that time (Gruden was an analyst for ESPN’s Monday Night Football in that same span). Gruden and Allen held the coach and GM positions, respectively, with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers until 2008, when they were both fired after a bad season. The first report about the emails was Oct. 8. More were leaked out on the 11th, with the latter leaving no choice but for Gruden to resign.
For the Raiders players, this became a situation where many emotions have to be managed in a short amount of time. Yes, the argument can be made bringing the team together rests on the shoulders of owner Mark Davis, or maybe on GM Mike Mayock. It can be even be said special teams coordinator Rich Bisaccia, who was named interim head coach in the midst of the fallout, should be the one to rally the troops. In a perfect world, the powers that be could handle that task. The problem that may arise is with creditability, because the players might not trust the people who hired and worked with Gruden. Another unique aspect of this situation is defensive end Carl Nassib, the league’s first openly gay player, also plays for Las Vegas. All of this, combined with the feelings that could come as a result from hearing their former head coach is everything that’s wrong with humanity these days, and the potential for things to implode is as real as it gets.
No one knows what else can drop from this investigation, but for the Raiders players, the saving grace is there is still a lot to play for. Guys like quarterback Derek Carr and Nassib might be able to provide the leadership needed to get through something like this, and there will be plenty of opportunities to show how connected they are. Las Vegas was already 3-2 before Gruden left the team, and judging off of their performance against the Denver Broncos on the road Sunday, they intend to make the future even brighter in a time that’s seen as dark for the silver and black. With the Philadelphia Eagles coming to Allegiant Stadium next weekend, it’s reasonable to think the Raiders will be 5-2 with everything in front of them.
So yes, player empowerment is normally reserved for players who want to force issues upon a team, but when a group has a chance to come together at a time where trust in the front office might vary depending on the person, that’s when the term should see more usage. It’s always said sports is the ultimate unifier for divided times, and for Las Vegas, playing a sport they put so much into can help them get through this difficult period. Gruden’s words were hurtful and maddening, but now, an opportunity to grow and learn arises. If the Raiders can go on to win an AFC West division crown, we would have an example of player empowerment at its best, and that’s something we can all get behind.
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