Jon Gruden backs Republican Jon Husted in Senate race
Conservative principles face implementation challenges as policy meets political complexity.
Jon Gruden grew up in Sandusky, went to school at Dayton, and won a Super Bowl on the sideline. That’s Ohio blood, not some coastal celebrity showing up to read a teleprompter. So when he walked on stage in Vandalia and threw his weight behind Jon Husted, it wasn’t a photo op.
New Republican Times Editorial Board
Former Las Vegas Raiders and Super Bowl-winning head coach Jon Gruden has given Republican Senate candidate Jon Husted his full support during a surprise visit at a campaign rally for President Donald Trump in Vandalia, Ohio.
Gruden, 63, a native of Sandusky, Ohio, who went to college at the University of Dayton, took the stage and began endorsing his former college football teammate. Super Bowl Winning Coach Jon Gruden Riles Up Crowd for Sen.
Husted – 10/03/26 pic.twitter.com/INzOZFPUj9 “I want to thank everybody for growing up. Thank you guys, for being here. I love you guys,” Gruden said. “… Jon Husted is a lot more than my friend. He was a great player.
He intercepted 17 passes on the gridiron. “I know why he was a great player. It was because of his work ethic, and his commitment, and his native Dayton mental toughness. He will never quit on you or anybody.
Let’s hear it for Husted.” After the crowd gave Gruden a large round of applause, he had one last thing to tell them. “Before you know it. This election is over, yes? It’s over,” Gruden said. “But what we gotta do is we gotta do our part.
Early voting starts Tuesday. Can we be there or not?” Gruden went on to tell the crowd to get their friends out and go vote. “Husted back in action. Lets go. Thank you!” Gruden said. In the past, Gruden has shown his support for President Trump, as the two were seen playing golf together in 2025 , when Trump called him “A really nice guy.” While Gruden isn’t known for being involved in politics, he was known for being the head coach of the Raiders.
His first stint happened between 1998-2001 and came to an end after he was traded to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. In 2002, Gruden’s Buccaneers met the Raiders in Super Bowl 37 and defeated them 48-21. In 2008, Gruden was locked to remain with the Buccaneers until 2011, when he signed a three-year extension after starting the season with a 9-3 record.
Tampa Bay ended up collapsing in the second half of the season in an ironic twist of fate, as they dropped their final game of the season to the Raiders. Gruden went on to have a career as a broadcaster, serving as a color commentator on Monday Night Football.
In 2018, he came back to coaching after agreeing to join forces with the Raiders again. Gruden’s second stint finished with a 22-31 record , and he would eventually resign from the job after an email scandal leaked of him using racist language, mocking an openly gay NFL player, and being unsupportive of the emergence of women in the NFL as officials.
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New Republican Times Editorial Board
Jon Gruden grew up in Sandusky, went to school at Dayton, and won a Super Bowl on the sideline. That’s Ohio blood, not some coastal celebrity showing up to read a teleprompter. So when he walked on stage in Vandalia and threw his weight behind Jon Husted, it wasn’t a photo op. It was a homecoming with a purpose.
Democrats will wave off Gruden because of the email scandal that got him pushed out of the broadcast booth. Fine. But what that episode proved is that Gruden doesn't roll over when the literary critic crowd comes for him. He took the punch, went home, and instead of laying low, he’s now headlining rallies for a Republican Senate bid in his home state. He turned a cancellation into a comeback. That resonates with regular people who are tired of watching public figures beg for forgiveness on their knees.
Husted, meanwhile, is a steady conservative who hasn’t made the race about himself. He’s talking about jobs, border security, and not letting Washington shove Ohio around. Having Gruden in his corner isn't just about star power. It’s about what that support says: that a tough, smart, Ohio-born winner looks at Husted and sees a guy worth backing. The left can mock all they want, but the message cuts through in a state that knows both football and work. That’s exactly why the Democrats are nervous.
Commentary written with AI assistance by the New Republican Times Editorial Board.