Football coach turned broadcaster Jon Gruden excitedly talks about the Blues’ Jordan Binnington in a video posted to social media platform X after receiving a package of Blues gear that included a jersey signed by the goalie.
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THE ST. LOUIS BLUES ARE IN THE HOUSE
Being down 2-0 gives you the chance to do something really special! Become the NIGHTMARES you know you can be tonight against Winnepeg!
Thank you Coach Montgomery, Jordan Binnington and all the @StLouisBlues let’s get a win tonight! pic.twitter.com/axbZmDSir1
— Jon Gruden (@BarstoolGruden) April 24, 2025
Jon Gruden is best known for his extensive football resume, including three stints as an NFL head coach across 15 seasons and a Super Bowl championship with Tampa Bay for the 2002 season. He also spent the 2009-17 seasons as a commentator for ESPN’s “Monday Night Football.”
But Gruden has jumped on the Stanley Cup playoffs bandwagon and adopted the Blues as his team.
He has returned to the media as he is resurrecting his career that was derailed in 2021, when he resigned as the Las Vegas Raiders’ coach amid reports he had sent emails that used misogynistic, racist and anti-gay language over a seven-year period. He now is working as a personality for the Barstool Sports online platform and recently posted a video on social media in which he opened a box of equipment and other merchandise he was sent from the Blues, including a Jordan Binnington jersey signed by the goaltender.
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In his typical high-energy fashion, Gruden gave a pep talk directed to the Blues when they were preparing for Game 3 of their playoff series against Winnipeg after losing the first two contests.
“We’re the friggin’ nightmare. The St. Louis Blues!” he exclaimed. “We’re at home tonight, in front of our fans! And we’re going to hit these guys into the glass!” he exulted as he pounded his fist against the box in a video that lasts more than six minutes.
“I’m learning about hockey, and I love the Blues,” he yells as he unpacks the box and puts on team gear.
The Blues won that game and the next, and Gruden was back on social media with another rah-rah PG 13-rated post before Game 5 on Wednesday while again wearing Blues gear. And has vowed to be in St. Louis on Friday night for Game 6.
“I can’t wait!” he shouted. “I haven’t slept in three days! Wait till you see Friday night!”
Gruden was a guest Monday on “The Morning After,” which airs on WXOS (101.1 FM) and other platforms, and indicated he began coming to St. Louis when he was a graduate assistant coach at Southeast Missouri State in 1988, including for a SEMO game.
“I got to see a few baseball games (there) … just a great sports town,” he said. “And I know it’s a big time of year for the Blues. To share this with the fans is something I’m really looking forward to.”
He also has produced a video pumping up the Battlehawks, as he opened a box of their gear he had been sent as part of his schtick of unveiling packages he has received from teams. He has posted other encouraging comments about the United Football League team representing St. Louis, and after the B-Hawks won last weekend, he wrote: “Battlehawks win! I may have to move to St. Louis.”
Gruden said he hasn’t been to town since he broadcast a “Monday Night Football” game when the Rams entertained Seattle in 2013, so he’s eager to finally return.
“If I can help the crowd to get 1% louder or if I can encourage a couple of these St. Louis Blues players to play a little bit harder, 1 or 2%, I think it will be worth the trip,” he said on “The Morning After.”
“I have become a big fan of the Blues, and I can’t wait to get back to St. Louis.”
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