Jon Gruden hasn’t coached in the NFL since 2021, but he’s found a new team to fire up this fall. And on Monday night, he was the opening act for President Donald Trump.
Gruden took the stage at Trump’s midterm rally at the Covelli Centre in Youngstown, Ohio, where he delivered a glowing introduction of the president. It was the second time in less than two weeks that the former Super Bowl-winning coach has rallied with Republicans in his home state.
Gruden even made the trip to Ohio with Trump aboard Air Force One, alongside boxer and YouTuber Jake Paul.
‘Relentless effort’
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Before bringing Trump out, Gruden offered some high praise for the president.
“I’ve met a lot of people in my days. I’ve never met a man that has given more effort, relentless effort, a guy that has more enthusiasm and passion for the United States than this guy,” Gruden said in [a clip shared by Acyn on X](https://x.com/Acyn/status/2109787320950170047).
He then praised Trump’s competitiveness.
“A guy that is committed to executing no matter how intense the pressure is, and most importantly, a guy that will compete, a guy that’ll roll his fist up and fight for all of us,” Gruden said. “Ladies and gentlemen, please welcome the 45th and 47th President of the United States, Donald J. Trump!”
Gruden Supports Husted
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This is not the first time that Gruden has spoken out in support of Trump and Republicans.
Last week, NFL coaching legend Jon Gruden was in attendance at a Trump rally in Vandalia, Ohio, as he and the President helped drum up support for Sen. Jon Husted in his race against Democrat Sherrod Brown.
“I’m from Ohio. My mom and dad are from Cleveland. I was born in Sandusky, and I went to the University of Dayton, and I’m damn proud of it, man,” Gruden [told the crowd last week](https://x.com/johnnymaga/status/2106518737608139231?s=20).
Gruden went on to praise Husted, who was Gruden’s teammate at Dayton in 1985.
“Last thing I’ll say is Jon Husted is a lot more than my friend. He was a great player,” Gruden said. “He intercepted 17 passes on the gridiron. He was a great player. And I know why he’s a great player. It was because of his work ethic and his commitment and his day-to-day mental toughness. He will never quit, ever, on you or anybody. Let’s hear it for Husted.”
Gruden closed by asking everyone to get out to the polls.
“I’m going to close with this,” Gruden said. “Before you know it, this election is over. Yes, it’s over. But what we gotta do is we gotta do our part. Early voting starts Tuesday. Can we be there or not? Let’s be there. And I know you guys got a lot more friends than I do. Get your friends and get their friends and their friends and let’s get Husted back in action. Let’s go. Right there. Let’s go.”
Jon Gruden Controversy
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Gruden has been in the midst of controversy over the past few years as he resigned as head coach of the Las Vegas Raiders in 2021 after reports surfaced of racist, misogynistic, and homophobic language in emails he sent years earlier. He walked away from a 10-year, $100 million contract, and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers briefly pulled him from their Ring of Honor.
He’s since sued the NFL, alleging the league leaked the emails to force him out in a legal battle that is still ongoing.
Meanwhile, he’s worked his way back into the public eye. He’s become a Barstool Sports personality, was restored to the Bucs’ Ring of Honor, and has said he still hopes to coach again.