The Las Vegas Raiders have had major off the field issues with Henry Ruggs and head coach Jon Gruden. The Raiders lost two major components of their team and are most likely never going to have them again, Henry Ruggs dealing with a deadly car crash and Jon Gruden dealing with exposed inappropriate emails. Both men left the Raiders organization with a sour taste in their mouth and may have ruined the season for the team as well.

   On Tuesday, Nov. 2, wide receiver Henry Ruggs was charged with DUI and killed a Woman and her Dog. Ruggs was driving 156 miles per hour and was double the legal concentration level. While the case is under investigation, Ruggs could potentially serve up to 50 years in prison. Raiders have already released Ruggs from the team and Ruggs may not play in the NFL again.

   During a news conference Las Vegas quarterback Derek Carr said, “I will always be there for him. That won’t change,  and I’ll prove that over the course of time to him. Not to anybody else,” according to “Sporting News.” Ruggs was on the rise this season, as his Las Vegas Raiders started the season 3-0.  Ruggs had 24 receptions for 469 yards, on pace for a 1000 yard season in his second year. He would have asserted himself as the number 1 pass catcher in Las Vegas. Ruggs, who had lots of potential for years to come, was drafted out of the University of Alabama and was the 12th overall pick in the 2020 draft. Ruggs had lots of success in college football and won a national championship with Alabama. Only time will tell what happens to this athlete in the future.

   In October this year Raiders coach Jon Gruden was accused of having sent emails with racist and homophobic content. Gruden resigned from his position and is no longer coach of the Raiders. Gruden had been coaching for 11 years years between the Raiders and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. In 2003 Gruden won a Superbowl with the Buccaneers, and he hasn’t won one since. Even though the Raiders started with a 3-0 record this season, he was forced to leave the team and it has been hard for them to get back to where they were.

   “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 in a statement according to “Spoting News.” Such were Gruden’s last words as he resigned from the organization. 

   The Raiders are currently 6-7 and last in the AFC West. The Raiders definitely haven’t been the same team since the start of the year, which could be due to injury, the coaching change or the loss of a top receiver. This team seemed to be on the rise at the beginning of the season, taking down the Ravens and the Steelers in their first two games. Although they are not looked at as the powerhouse they once were, they still have a shot of making the playoffs. While there’s still hope for the Raiders, fans may be left disappointed after a strong start.