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Rodgers: Gruden's views 'don't have a place in the game'

Patrick McDermott / Getty Images Sport / Getty

Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers spoke out against Jon Gruden after the former Las Vegas Raiders head coach resigned over offensive emails from his past.

"We need to allow people to grow and change, but those opinions don't have a place in the game," Rodgers said Tuesday on "The Pat McAfee Show."

Gruden stepped down after the NFL reviewed numerous emails he sent during his tenure as an ESPN broadcaster that were laced with racist, homophobic, and misogynistic language.

The 58-year-old first drew scrutiny Friday following the revelation that he had used a racist trope in reference to NFL Players Association director DeMaurice Smith, who is Black.

Gruden coached the Raiders on Sunday, but he resigned a little more than 24 hours later after more of his old emails came out.

"It was surprising to see that the thing went so quickly, but I think that was probably the best decision for all parties involved," Rodgers said. "Hopefully, we can all as a league learn and grow from this. Hopefully, it puts people on notice who have some of those same opinions. Like, 'Hey man, it's time to grow and evolve and change and connect. That shit doesn't fly.'"

Rodgers also said he doesn't believe Gruden's views are prevalent throughout the NFL, saying those beliefs are "few and far between."

- h/t to USA TODAY

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