TAMPA — Jon Gruden, the Super Bowl-winning coach who led the Tampa Bay Buccaneers to the Super Bowl XXXVII championship, will return to the broadcast booth for the first time since leaving ESPN’s Monday Night Football after the 2017 season, joining Rondé Barber on the WFLA-TV call of the Bucs’ preseason game against the Kansas City Chiefs on Aug. 22 at Raymond James Stadium.
Gruden steps in due to a scheduling conflict for the team’s usual preseason play-by-play announcer, Chris Myers. The pairing reunites two members of the Buccaneers’ Ring of Honor — Gruden coached the team for seven seasons, while Barber played in every game Gruden coached and was a member of the 2002 championship squad.
“I’m really excited about this Buccaneers team and the upcoming season,” said Gruden. “It’s going to be a real thrill to be in the stadium again calling the game with one of the greatest Bucs ever! Hope to see you there!”
Gruden spent 10 years in the ESPN Monday Night Football booth before leaving to take the Oakland Raiders’ head coaching job. Barber has provided color analysis for Tampa Bay preseason games for the past decade and a half and spent seven seasons as a broadcaster for Fox.
“I’ve been fortunate to spend the last 14 years calling Buccaneers preseason games with Chris Myers,” said Barber. “A conflict in his schedule opened the door to do something a little different in our second preseason game. Rather than go with another traditional play-by-play partner, I jumped at the chance to team up with my Super Bowl-winning coach, Jon Gruden. It’s a unique opportunity to share the booth responsibilities with someone who sees the game the way I do and brings incredible passion, insight, and knowledge of the Buccaneers. I’m looking forward to having some fun with my guy, JG, and hope everyone enjoys the broadcast when the Bucs take on the Chiefs on Saturday, August 22.”
The Aug. 22 contest is a rematch of the Buccaneers’ other Super Bowl title, when Tampa Bay defeated Patrick Mahomes and the Chiefs, 31-9, at Raymond James Stadium, becoming the first team in NFL history to win a Super Bowl in its home stadium.
“Pairing two of our franchise icons and Ring of Honor inductees in the broadcast booth is an exciting opportunity for our organization and our fans,” said Buccaneers Chief Operating Officer Brian Ford. “Jon is a natural fit whose football knowledge, energy and passion for the game will provide Buccaneers fans with the insight and entertainment that only he can deliver.”
Myers will still call the Buccaneers’ two road preseason games — against the New York Jets on Aug. 14 and the Jacksonville Jaguars on Aug. 28.