Jon Gruden is looking to build a Super Bowl-winning team with the Oakland Raiders, and he doesn’t want any rookie hazing interfering with that goal.
The first episode of this year’s edition of “Hard Knocks” on HBO, which features the Raiders, aired on Tuesday night. In that episode, Gruden was shown speaking to his team at the start of training camp. One of his messages to the team was that he didn’t want any rookie hazing.
“I don’t want any rookie hazing. If you guys have him sing the fight song or something like that, I’m all for that. But be professional with these guys; they’ve earned that much,” Gruden said.
Rookie hazing is pretty popular throughout the NFL and other sports. In fact, the Raiders used to do it, only it was mostly harmless stuff, like silly-looking haircuts. But sometimes the hazing can take more problematic forms or even injurious ones.
Gruden’s approach to the matter should be commended.
