Jon Gruden Endorses Jon Husted at Trump Rally in Ohio
Former NFL coach Jon Gruden supports Ohio Senator Jon Husted at Trump rally, highlighting their shared history and campaign efforts.
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Former NFL head coach Jon Gruden made a rare appearance at President Donald Trump’s rally in Vandalia, Ohio, on Saturday, endorsing Sen. Jon Husted (R-OH) in the upcoming special election. Gruden, who was born in Sandusky and played quarterback at the University of Dayton, emphasized his deep ties to the state during his speech at Vandalia-Butler High School.
Gruden’s Connection to Ohio
“I came back for one reason,” Gruden said. “I’m from Ohio. My mom and dad are from Cleveland. I was born in Sandusky and I went to the University of Dayton and I’m damn proud of it, man!”
Gruden, who won Super Bowl XXXVII with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, shared a personal connection to Husted, noting they played together on Dayton’s 1985 team. He praised Husted’s skills and work ethic, stating, “He intercepted 17 passes on the gridiron” and “He will never quit on you or anybody.”
Political Campaign and Trump’s Support
Gruden also urged voters to participate in early voting, which begins on Tuesday. “Get your friends and get their friends and their friends and let’s get Husted back in action!” he said. Trump, who has golfed with Gruden and called him “one of my favorite coaches in the whole world,” joked that he hadn’t known about Husted’s football career until Gruden mentioned it. “Nobody told me you were a great athlete,” the president said.
This appearance marked Gruden’s first significant foray into electoral politics since resigning as Las Vegas Raiders coach in 2021 following controversy over leaked emails. Gruden later sued the NFL, alleging the league leaked the messages to force him out. A jury trial is scheduled for May 2027 in Las Vegas.
Husted’s Election and Campaign Challenges
Husted, appointed to the Senate seat vacated by Vice President JD Vance in January 2025, is running in a close special election against former Democratic Sen. Sherrod Brown. Brown’s campaign has accused Husted of contributing to higher gas prices linked to the Iran war, using a mobile billboard to spread the message.
The rally was part of Trump’s pre-midterm tour, which has also included stops in Oklahoma and Alabama. Republican gubernatorial nominee Vivek Ramaswamy also spoke at the event, facing Democrat Amy Acton, Ohio’s former health director.
Source: Daily Wire
