Tony Dungy Getting Criticized For What He Said About Jon Gruden

Former NFL head coach turned NBC analyst Tony Dungy is facing some criticism on social media for what he said about Jon Gruden on Sunday night.

Sunday evening, both Dungy and NBC announcer Mike Tirico - who worked with Gruden at ESPN - addressed the now-former Las Vegas Raiders head coach.

At the time, only Gruden's emails regarding NFLPA executive director DeMaurice Smith and Roger Goodell had surfaced. Both Dungy and Tirico defended Gruden, saying he is a good person who is deserving of another chance.

"We heard Jon Gruden say he addressed this. He gave his side of it. He said that it wasn’t racial, that he was making a comment about DeMaurice Smith, and he basically attacked his character,” Dungy said. “I will accept that and just say that it was an immature way to do it. It wasn’t the right way to do it. But it was 10 years ago. And I’m not going to chalk everything up to racism. I think we accept his apology, move forward, and move on with his team.”

Tirico added this thoughts.

“I think if I’m being honest with the audience, I should weigh in a little bit here,” Tirico began. “I was with Jon at that time — seven years as my partner on ‘Monday Night Football.’ I probably know Jon better than anybody in the league on a personal level. He said it right — he was ashamed by the comments in the email. The comments in the email are wrong.

“But, my experience kind of parallels Tim Brown, who played for Jon. [Brown] said he never experienced or saw anything that would say Jon was racist in any way. That was exactly the experience I had, those seven years of traveling, three days together on the road together every week.”

It's fair for Tirico and Dungy to share their thoughts. However, less than 24 hours later, more emails surfaced, these ones more troubling, leading to Gruden's resignation.

Dungy and Tirico are both facing criticism for what they said about Gruden on Sunday night.

Dungy has since taken to social media to address what he said.

Gruden officially announced his resignation on Monday evening.

"I have resigned as Head Coach of the Las Vegas Raiders. I love the Raiders and do not want to be a distraction. Thank you to all the players, coaches, staff, and fans of Raider Nation. I’m sorry, I never meant to hurt anyone," Gruden said.