By Miguel Mike Medina
Photo Credit: Photo by Roy K. Miller/Icon Sport
Former head coach Jon Gruden will be in the broadcast booth as the play-by-play announcer for the Bucs’ second preseason game against the Chiefs on Aug. 22. He will be alongside his former player, Ronde Barber, for three hours in the booth.
Gruden is fired up to get to call this game. He’s grateful to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers for allowing him to come back to Tampa. Gruden served as the coach from 2002-08, helping them capture the Super Bowl victory over the Oakland Raiders. The Bucs finished that season 12-4 and won the NFC South division. Gruden was the youngest head coach in NFL history to win a Super Bowl.
Gruden spoke with the media, and he can’t wait to get things started. He’s known for being energetic and passionate. There’s no denying how much he loves football and the Bucs.
“We’re going to have fun,” Gruden said. “We’re going to celebrate the Bucs and hopefully kick off what’s going to be a special season.”
Gruden made it clear to the media that Ronde is the star and will center it around him in the broadcast booth. Gruden is nervous, but he still studies football and his love for the Bucs is forever. He’s always looking forward to challenges.
During his seven years in Tampa Bay, the team made the playoffs three times (2002, 2005 and 2007). He’s the only coach in their franchise history to lead to three division titles.
Gruden discusses his thoughts on the Bucs system.
“I see a lot of shotgun operator, pistol formation, Gruden said. “I know Kurt Cousins well. I learned a little bit about their system when he was in Atlanta. I know the terminology is similar to what they had here with Liam, and I’m sure that’s helpful to the veteran players, but everybody’s got to put their own spin on things, and we’ve got to address the health of our team. We just got to stay healthy and put everything together.”
Gruden’s favorite play-by-play guy is Pro Football Hall of Famer Frank Gifford. For people who may not know, he was an actor, former football player, and television sports commentator. Gifford passed away in 2015.
It’s going to be a thrill to see Gruden back in Tampa and check out his work in the broadcast booth. Hopefully this is the beginning of a long tenure as a play-by-play man.
Miguel Mike Medina is the publisher of The MMM Journal. He can be reached at medinamiguelmike@gmail.com and themmmjournal@gmail.com
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