Jon Gruden Returns – Will ‘Chucky’ Be Re-Inducted Into Bucs Ring Of Honor?

There were some familiar faces from the 2002 Super Bowl championship team, the Bucs, at Raymond James Stadium on Sunday afternoon.

Former head coach Jon Gruden made his first stadium appearance since being removed from the team’s Ring of Honor in 2021. Gruden discovered before the game and Cheers at Jumbotron Stadium He was seated next to Hall of Fame executive Ron Wolf, who served as the team’s first general manager from 1976 to 1978.

Remarkably, he sat in the Glaser family’s suite as the guest of honor following a death in the family. His name was removed from the venue in 2021 After an email containing offensive language went around years ago. Sunday was a big step for the Glazer family in forgiving Gruden and welcoming him into the organization.

This begs the question, is it possible that Gruden will be inducted into the Bucs’ Ring of Honor again in the near future?

Jon Gruden re-enters the NFL world

Former Bucs CB Rondo Barber, HC Jon Gruden, owner Edward Glazer, S John Lynch, QB Brad Johnson – Photo provided by Jon Gruden

There’s no question that Jon Gruden loves football.

He launched a soccer YouTube channel earlier this year. “Gruden loves football.” He has a weekly show featuring match breakdowns, where he creates a whiteboard and writes a detailed synopsis of what to look out for on match day.

His extensive knowledge and passion for the game, combined with Gruden’s Glossary, Gruden’s Grinder, and other things he finds “cool,” is a must-see.

Gruden has started to build a large following through this, and it’s even possible the 61-year-old would be open to being coached again.

This all goes back to his appearance at Raymond James Stadium. When he appeared on the jumbotron, he was greeted with almost cheers from the crowd. Gruden went on to release a statement about how grateful he was to be back.

“For Cindy and I, coming back to Raymond James Stadium to watch the Buccaneers was very special.” Gruden said:. “Thank you to the Glazer family. It was great to see them again and we had the best seats in the house. We have great memories of our time with the Buccaneers. We were honored to be there. It was an honor and I will continue to support them.”

His reconciliation with the Glazer family and warm welcome from fans reopens the door for him to return to the Bucks’ Ring of Honor. There may still be some backlash, but it would be another step for the NFL to welcome him back.

Tony Dungy weighs in on Jon Gruden’s Honor Ring being stripped in 2023

Former Raiders HC Jon Gruden and QB Derek Carr – Photo courtesy of USA Today

Jon Gruden’s email not only gets him removed from Bucks’ Ring of Honor, but downplays losing head coaching job with Raiders midway through 10-year, $100 million contract in 2021 I can’t. It cannot be erased. The past is good or bad. Gruden’s mural still stands on the wall of the Bucks’ locker room at Raymond James Stadium, and his statue remains along with other murals in the lobby of One Bucks Place at the AdventHealth Training Center.

His actions had consequences, but he also deserves forgiveness. in It’s the first time he speaks in public Since being fired in August 2022, Gruden has acknowledged his actions were “shameful” and asked for forgiveness.

“I am ashamed of what happened in these emails and I make no excuses,” Gruden said at the time. “It’s embarrassing. But I’m a good person. I believe that. I go to church. I’ve been married for 31 years. I have three wonderful boys. I still love soccer. I made some mistakes, but I don’t think anyone here did. And I just ask for forgiveness and hopefully get another shot. Masu.”

Former Bucks head coaches Jon Gruden and Tony Dungy – Photo by Cliff Welch/PR

Featuring Hall of Fame Head Coach Tony Dungy pewter report podcast He was asked if the Glazer family did the right thing in removing him from Ring of Honor last season, and he shared the thought process behind it.

“It was done quickly, but it wasn’t done without thought,” Dungey said. “Some of the guys at Glazer reached out to me and told me their thought process, and that thought process was not that we wouldn’t allow it. Ring of Honor is something special. There’s a need and there’s something about honor in that. That’s why they did it. Hopefully these fences will be repaired and John will have the same kind of comfort that I feel. You will feel it coming.

“I understand why they did it, and I agreed with it. I agree with you. I went on the show and said, ‘Okay, Jon Gruden and these emails It’s from ‘X’ years ago.’ This shouldn’t have happened, but I’ve done things in my life that I wish I could take back. If someone admits they were wrong and says “I’m sorry,” we need to forgive. we need to move on from there. ”

Dungey originally came out in defense of Gruden and expressed similar views.

Gruden’s previous head coach went on to say he approved of the way Tampa Bay’s side handled the situation.

“I’m very happy and grateful that we won the Super Bowl,” Dungy said from the Bucs’ perspective. “John contributed a lot to that. Ring of Honor is something special and we’re going to remove this because it tarnishes that honor. We’re not going to say Jon Gruden doesn’t work here. I don’t and I don’t want anything to do with him. I really respect their response.”

As Jon Gruden looks to put his past behind him and continue the process of reconciliation, his name will once again be hung at Raymond James Stadium, immortalizing him along with the franchise’s other great players, coaches and owners. I might. But at least Gruden has been welcomed by ownership and is starting to mend relationships within the organization.