Jon Gruden Recalls Being Roasted on WIP, Flipped Off at the Vet

Philadelphia Eagles QB Randall Cunningham and offensive coordinator Jon Gruden talk strategy during training camp on July 26, 1995...Eagles Training Camp S Fbn Usa Pa

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Former Oakland/Las Vegas Raiders and Tampa Bay Buccaneers coach Jon Gruden recently joined Barstool Sports, which seems like a match made in Heaven. Make of that what you will. 

Gruden watched the Eagles' Thursday Night Football win over the Washington Commanders on a stream with Dave Portnoy, Big Cat and PFT Commenter, and couldn't help but reflect on his time in Philly. Gruden was the offensive coordinator for the Eagles under Ray Rhodes from 1995-1997. 

"We lost to the 49ers in the playoff game like 20-0 or 20-3, I was offensive coordinator and I was listening [to WIP]," Gruden recalled. "A caller calls in and says 'Jon Gruden, the guy's an idiot.' He says 'If the guy's IQ was one point less, he'd be a plant. He's a fucking idiot.' I'm driving in the car, I've got tears in my eyes [from laughing]." 

Was there any safer bet than Gruden being the type of guy who constantly touches your arm to make sure you're hanging on his every word even when you're looking him directly in the eye? 

Gruden went on to recall an exchange he had with Eagles fans before a game against the St. Louis Rams. 

"We get out there early with Jay Fiedler, Randall Cunningham and Rodney Pete, and we're throwing," Gruden remembered. "This guy's up there and he's going 'Hey Gruden!' And all the players can hear it because nobody is there yet. 'Hey Gruden! Hey Gruden!' He keeps going 'Hey Gruden!' Finally, I turn around and he's like [gesturing with double middle fingers] 'You suck!' The players all fucking laughed. That was a tough place, man." 


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Tim Kelly

Tim Kelly is the Managing Editor for On Pattison. He's been on the Phillies beat since 2020. Kelly is also on Bleacher Report's MLB staff. Previously, Kelly has worked for Phillies Nation, Audacy Sports, SportsRadio 94 WIP, Just Baseball, FanSided, Locked On and Sports Illustrated/FanNation. Kelly is a graduate of Bloomsburg University with a major in Mass Communications and minor in Political Science.