Gruden: Unmasked Raiders at charity event 'aware of their mistake'
Jon Gruden insisted the Las Vegas Raiders are taking COVID-19 concerns seriously two days after several players were seen without masks at Darren Waller's charity event.
"We've done an excellent job," the head coach said Wednesday, according to Mick Akers of the Las Vegas Review-Journal. "Last night, it was addressed with our players. They walked in with their masks on. There was an event - sometimes you go to a restaurant, you take your mask off. They're aware of their mistake. But we've done an excellent job using our masks and taking proper care of each other and everybody."
The Raiders drew scrutiny Monday evening after images and videos involving unmasked players circulated around the Internet. Quarterback Derek Carr was among the unmasked attendees.
Now @derekcarrqb is throwing signed footballs into the crowd for $500 a piece. Anything for charity! @darrenwallerfdn #vegas #raiders pic.twitter.com/qoYe5nOqax
- Cassie Soto (@_CassieSoto) September 29, 2020
The event took place a night before the Tennessee Titans reported eight positive COVID-19 tests, which forced them to close their facilities and delay their Week 4 meeting with the Pittsburgh Steelers.
"We feel terrible about that," said Carr, according to Omar Ruiz of NFL Network, adding, "We should have kept the masks on."
#Raiders Zay Jones, Nevin Lawson, Foster Moreau, Jason Witten, Derek Carr, Hunter Renfrow, Derek Carrier and Nathan Peterman all came out to support Darren Waller at his "Beyond The Wall" fundraising event. The Darren Waller Foundation aims to combat addiction in Vegas. pic.twitter.com/38G7HmhnnQ
- Tashan Reed (@tashanreed) September 29, 2020
Gruden, himself, was fined $100,000 after Week 2 for not keeping his face covered while coaching against the New Orleans Saints. He revealed afterward that he contracted the coronavirus in July.
"They may have let their (guards) down a little bit by taking their masks off during the event," he said. "But it's been addressed, and that's the best I can tell you."
Gruden noted the gala raised $300,000 for the Darren Waller Foundation, which serves to combat addiction issues among youth.
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