Former Titans coach Jeff Fisher responds to ex-Raiders coach Jon Gruden email allegation – Tennessean
Former NFL head coach Jeff Fisher responded to ex-Raiders coach John Gruden’s emails about Fisher and the Rams drafting Michael Sam.
The content of numerous emails sent by Gruden became public over the last few days, leading to his resignation and coach of the Raiders.
Sam became the first openly gay player to be drafted into the NFL when Fisher’s Rams selected him in 2014. In an email, Gruden used a homophobic term in referring to Sam and claimed NFL commissioner Roger Goodell pressured Fisher to select Sam.
Fisher took to Twitter on Tuesday to deny the Rams were pressured to make the pick.
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Fisher said his teams never considered sexual orientation in deciding whether to draft or not draft players.
“Their sexual orientation would never – and should never –play a part in the decision-making process,” Fisher said in his tweet.
Fisher said the NFL never “encouraged or discouraged me” on the matter of who to take in the draft.
He also expressed support for Sam.
“I continue to support Michael, and his decision to come out as the first draft eligible openly gay player in the league,” he posted. “It took courage to serve as a role model for those competitive football players who may also happen to be gay.”
Fisher coached the Houston Oilers/Tennessee Titans from 1994-2010, a period that included team’s move to Tennessee. He was a head coach in the NFL for 22 seasons, spending the last five with the St. Louis/Los Angeles Rams. His career record was 178-171-1.
Currently Fisher is an advisor to Tennessee State, where one of his sons is on the coaching staff.