In case you somehow failed to notice, Jon Gruden can become overwhelmed at times during the Monday Night Football broadcast on ESPN. The man loves him so football, and there is absolutely nothing wrong with that. His passion for the game is unrivaled, but sometimes it can border on weird. Whether it’s giving out a secret handshake or focusing a little too much on Maurice Jones-Drew’s thighs while on board the Gruden Bus, Jon provides viewers with some awkward moments.
He may love “this guy” or think there’s no lineman in the league who could match the power and intensity of “that guy,” but Gruden told Sports Illustrated he does not believe he falls in love with players too easily.
“I’ve had people tell me you don’t want to be too positive all the time, you want to be more critical,” Gruden explained. “I’ve had people tell me that I am trying to set up my next job. That’s not true. I am enthusiastic about the game. It’s like golf: Every shot makes someone happy. I just want to do a better job listening and telling the story as I see it. I don’t have time to worry about all the critiques. I feel like I am preparing as hard as I can. If you listen to the broadcast, I would not agree that I fall in love with everybody. But I do want to be enthusiastic and I am fired up to be up there on Monday Night Football. It’s an electric atmosphere.”
SI also pointed out that last year’s Monday Night Football telecasts were the most watched cable series for a fifth consecutive year. Whatever the new broadcast team is doing, it must be working. Yes, even Jon Gruden’s creepy man crushes.
