Jon Gruden Endorses Republican Senate Candidate Jon Husted at Trump Rally
The former Raiders coach spoke at a rally in Ohio, urging attendees to support Husted.
Former Las Vegas Raiders head coach Jon Gruden endorsed Republican Senate candidate Jon Husted at a rally for President Donald Trump in Vandalia, Ohio. Gruden, 63, who is a native of Sandusky, Ohio, and attended college at the University of Dayton, took the stage to voice his support for Husted, a former college football teammate.
"Jon Husted is a lot more than my friend," Gruden told the crowd. "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."
Gruden encouraged attendees to vote, stating, "Early voting starts Tuesday. Can we be there or not?" He urged them to bring their friends and participate in the election.
Gruden, who previously coached the Raiders from 1998 to 2001 and again from 2018 until his resignation in 2021, is not typically involved in political endorsements. His second tenure with the Raiders concluded with a 22-31 record and was followed by his departure amid an email scandal.
In the past, Gruden has shown support for President Trump. The two were seen playing golf together in 2025, and Trump described Gruden as "A really nice guy."