A sorry attempt at an apology

It is amazing how poorly some very prominent people are at apologizing, and as an self-taught expert at being sorry, I'm here to help the folks who struggling to do this. Like Jon Gruden.

Apologies are not that hard.

Maybe I just feel that way because I tend to apologize. A lot. Not just because I screw up, but it tends to be my default if someone seems uncomfortable. (I’m sorry, did I do something?) In fact, I’m so well-versed on everything from the mechanics of a good apology to its execution that there might be a business possibility here especially when you consider how poor some very prominent people are at apologizing. Take Jon Gruden for instance.

You remember him, right? Former NFL head coach, then Monday Night Football announcer, then NFL head coach again. He’s currently in Bad Man Purgatory after some of his emails were published last year where the man wasn’t even subtle about his racism, his sexism his blatant homophobia when it came to Michael Sam’s NFL career. Gruden lost his job and he’s now suing the NFL, but he popped back into public view last week, speaking at something called the Little Rock Touchdown Club where Gruden was asked if there was anything he wanted to say about the way he has been characterized.

“I appreciate that, and I’m not going to say anything but honest things here. I’m ashamed about what has come about in these emails, and I’ll make no excuses for it. It’s shameful. But I am a good person. I believe that. I go to church. I’ve been married for 31 years. I’ve got three great boys. I still love football. I’ve made some mistakes, but I don’t think anybody in here hasn’t. And I just ask for forgiveness and hopefully I get another shot.”