ST. LOUIS – Former Super Bowl-winning coach Jon Gruden may be known best for his fiery football persona, but on Thursday, he showed big-time support for an unexpected allegiance with the St. Louis Blues.
Gruden, widely recognized for his intense sideline energy and bold personality, is a few years removed from his last NFL coaching gig and now works as a media personality for Barstool Sports.
On Thursday, to the surprise of many, Gruden shared a video to his social media X page, voicing his full support for the St. Louis Blues. In a six-minute clip, he unboxed Blues merchandise with enthusiasm, even throwing on a Blues uniform over a Cincinnati Bengals Jamarr Chase jersey.
The video is quite a lot to unpack, and Gruden didn’t hold back. He gave shoutouts to head coach Jim Montgomery, along with many Blues players of the present and past, including Jordan Binnington, Jordan Kyrou and Chris Pronger.
Gruden even took a brief moment to mention Southeast Missouri University (SEMO) in nearby Cape Girardeau, where he briefly served as an offensive coordinator for one season in 1988.
In typical Gruden style, he brought his high-energy personality to the video, starting off with a striking statement just before he opened a big box with Blues gear.
“I may not know that much about hockey, I admit that,” said Gruden on Thursday in the video. “But I do know a big game when a big game is here. And tonight a big game is here for St. Louis!”
“The St. Louis Blues sent me a box, and the St. Louis Blues are down two games to nothing to the Winnipeg Jets. And I’m concerned about that, but I’m excited. Because ‘Down 2-0’ gives you a chance to do something unbelievable!”
Gruden then tapped into his coaching instincts, channeling what Montgomery might be telling the team.
“When you got a head coach like Jim Montgomery, he’s telling his team right now, ‘Hey… Winnipeg This. Winnipeg has dreams of that. Hey, we’re the freaking nightmare! The St. Louis Blues.'”
One of Gruden’s favorite items from the box was an autographed Jordan Binnington jersey that said, “Coach, you are the best.” Gruden replied, “I’m totally in awe!”
As Gruden walked around his home, clearly pumped for the game, he later took time to sit down and deliver an emotional message.
“Who needs football? I’m going to hockey now! This really fired me up! I love the Blues. St. Louis. Be the nightmare for me. Let’s go!”
And it looks like Gruden’s enthusiasm paid off. The Blues went on to a dominant 7-2 win in Game 3 of their first-round series against the Jets, claiming their first home playoff victory in three years.
The Blues and Jets return for action in their best-of-seven first-round series for Game 4 on Sunday. Puck drop is scheduled for noon CT. The Jets currently lead the series, two games to one.