‘Really nice guy’: Who is Jon Gruden? Ex-NFL coach spotted golfing with Donald Trump

For several days, speculation swirled on social media over Donald Trump’s absence from public view, fueling health rumors, conspiracy theories, and a wave of memes. The uncertainty ended when Trump reappeared, not at a press conference or rally, but on the golf course alongside Super Bowl-winning and controversy-shadowed coach Jon Gruden.

By posting photographs on Truth Social, Trump put the speculation to rest and offered supporters a symbolic reassurance.“Great playing Golf with Jon Gruden, a really nice guy, and true character!” Trump said through a post on Truth Social. Jon Gruden’s appearance was equally striking. Once a prominent NFL coach, he has kept a low profile since resigning from the Las Vegas Raiders in 2021 over leaked emails.

Who is Jon Gruden?

Gruden posted a winning record as head coach of the Oakland Raiders from 1998 to 2001.The next season, he guided the Tampa Bay Buccaneers to their first Super Bowl victory, and after being dismissed in early 2009, he joined ESPN, as per the BBC. Gruden was working as a commentator before returning to the Raiders in 2018 on a 10-year, $100 million contract.He stepped down as the head coach of the Las Vegas Raiders in 2021 following allegations of sending inappropriate emails.The NFL flagged numerous emails from Gruden in which he used disparaging language and criticized women referees, gay players, and player protests during the national anthem, reported the New York Times.

Gruden faced accusations of using an anti-gay slur against NFL commissioner Roger Goodell and another slur in reference to Michael Sam, the NFL’s first openly gay draft pick in 2014.Gruden also reportedly used racist language in a 2011 email describing DeMaurice Smith, the executive director of the NFL Players Association, as reported by the Wall Street Journal.Gruden scored a key win in his legal battle with the NFL last month as the Nevada Supreme Court ruled Aug. 11 that his lawsuit over leaked emails cannot be moved to private arbitration, as per USA Today.