Jon Gruden has high praise for his younger brother, Jay Gruden. Last week Jon made a visit to his brother’s team, the Washington Redskins, while they practiced. He even made a speech. Was it a show of brotherly support and encouragement? Or was Jon longing for the glory days when he lead the Tampa Bay Buccaneers to a Super Bowl win? Or was he just trying to get a feel for one of the many teams he will comment on as an ESPN corespondent this coming season?
Regardless, when asked, the Gruden brothers have a good relationship. “I’m really proud of him, No. 1,” Jon Gruden told NBC. “And I have a lot respect for what needs to get done here. …It looks like they’ve improved their football team, as well.”
According to Jay, “He just came in to watch how we’re doing things. He’s still an avid football fan obviously. He likes to stay up-to-date on what’s going on around the league. Obviously, his sons are close to my sons, so it’s good to get together with him.”
The feeling of goodwill between the brothers is a recent phenomenon. ”Ever since we can remember. Foto-Electric Football. Nerf football on our knees and backyard football. … He was better. He was a lot more talented, unfortunately,” Jon Gruden explained to the Associated Press.
To that, Jay replied, ”He’s so full of (bull),” adding that he was always trying to catch up to his older brother, ”Jon was a great athlete growing up. He was 3 1/2 years older than me, so if I won it was because he let me win – until I got to be about 17, 18. I started to get a little bit bigger, I could hold my own, but growing up he won everything. But he made it in a way kept me close, close, close, close and he let me win sometimes – just enough to where I felt like I was getting better. And then he’d beat me and he’d talk trash and I’d crumble.”
Jon Gruden got an early look at the @Redskins today.
Washington vs. Dallas MNF action kicks off at 8:15 on Oct. 27. pic.twitter.com/FQvhWGOmjS
— ESPN Monday Night (@ESPNMondayNight) June 12, 2014
It seems Jon Gruden has figured brotherhood out, but to see his advice on fatherhood, look no further than this shoe commercial:
Image via Washington Redskins, YouTube.