Tennessee rib joint apologizes for starting Jon Gruden, Peyton Manning rumor
It is officially coach rumor season in college football.
With the college football regular season winding down, struggling programs are making changes and looking for new leadership. One program in the market for a new coach is Tennessee, and that has led to rampant rumors over the past week. There have been reports tying Jon Gruden to the Vols, but the latest that emerged on Saturday truly topped them all.
Calhoun’s, a Tennessee rib joint, started a rumor that Gruden and Peyton Manning were dining together at their restaurant.
#Gruden and #Manning together at @calhouns tonight? Now that's interesting. #Vols #SportsSource
— The Sports Source (@SportsSourceTV) November 18, 2017
#Gruden and #Manning went to Calhoun's with a larger party, didn't sit in a banquet room, sat where they could be seen but asked that no pictures be taken. This from the folks @calhouns. #Vols
— The Sports Source (@SportsSourceTV) November 18, 2017
Calhoun’s management confirms with me that Jon Gruden was at their Calhoun’s on the river location earlier and that he requested privacy.
— Dan Harralson (@danharralson) November 18, 2017
That’s enough to get Vols fans pretty excited. Unfortunately, Calhoun’s issued an apology and correction saying they weren’t so sure about the rumor they started.
We’d like to take a moment to clear things up as well as apologize. We got excited- like everyone. Please read: pic.twitter.com/AIyVvmppKC
— Calhoun's (@calhouns) November 19, 2017
Turns out it would have been pretty tough for Gruden to be dining in Knoxville AND at the Seattle Seahawks’ facility on Saturday.
Jon Gruden was at the Seahawks' facility in Renton today preparing for Monday's Seahawks-Atlanta telecast. https://t.co/VHNurRHCPM
— Bob Condotta (@bcondotta) November 19, 2017
Meanwhile, as Tennessee rumors swirl, Gruden has also been mentioned in connection with the Tampa Bay Bucs job.