Monday Night Football analyst Jon Gruden will be among five current and former NFL coaches who will participate in the inaugural NFL-USO Coaches Tour, it was announced today. Gruden will join Tom Coughlin, Bill Cowher, Jeff Fisher, and John Harbaugh on a trip to meet and greet servicemembers for several days in the Persian Gulf region later this month.
Gruden’s thoughts on the planned overseas morale-building visit:
“I’m excited to meet our troops and learn about what they’re doing over there. They are some of the greatest teammates, some of the most mentally tough people that make it happen in the world. The loyalty, the passion, the commitment they have, it permeates everywhere. I’ve got some friends in the service from here in Tampa, and I’m excited to see at close-range what it’s really all about.
“You’re talking about people who are all the way over there where the temperatures exceed 130 degrees. These people miss their loved ones. They’ve been over there a long time. I’m sure they have the same fears that the rest of us have. To go over there play football and give my thanks for all that they are doing, I’m really looking forward to the opportunity and the experience.
“I don’t know exactly what to expect when we’re there but I’m just there to show support for every person I meet, and try to raise spirits. We’re going to be there on the Fourth of July, which is just going to be awesome. It’s a big day for our country and it stands for a lot, especially for those in the military. I’m going to be part of the team and whatever is asked of me, I’m going to jump in and have fun doing it.
“If I have to give a speech, I’ll be ready to go. I’ve been fortunate enough to be in some locker rooms with championship football players, but to be around championship soldiers, I’m going to have to tune it up a bit. Maybe I’ll come up with some flag football games there. We’ve got a great group going over there. I just hope I don’t have to play Tom Coughlin because he beat me pretty bad the last couple of times.”
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