Getty ImagesOn Sunday, ESPN analyst Keyshawn Johnson took a shot at ESPN analyst Jon Gruden, saying that Gruden messed with his head when Johnson played for him. On Wednesday, Gruden took his opportunity to respond.
During an appearance on ESPN Radio’s Mike & Mike in the Morning, Gruden was asked about players publicly criticizing coaches, and he quickly turned it into an opportunity to bring up Johnson’s comments.
“I had a guy on SportsCenter say he couldn’t get along with me the other day on TV,” Gruden said. “So I know how it feels. You’ve got to have some thick skin, and you’ve got to know when things get tough there are going to be some negative things said.”
It actually wasn’t SportsCenter, it was Sunday NFL Countdown, but it was interesting that Gruden felt the need to bring up Johnson’s comments. If Gruden’s skin were really thick, wouldn’t he just let it go?
In any event, I have a feeling this is the last we’re going to hear about it, as ESPN will likely tell both guys to put a sock in it.
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Does Gruden ever shut up?
Of course they don’t get along. Didn’t Gruden kick him off the Buccaneers in the middle of a game? That doesn’t exactly foster a close relationship between two people.
What’s his skin got anything to do with it?
Both of them are legends in their own minds.
Keyshawn has always been a whiner, and Gruden has always been a hot head on the sideline. Get over it……
Keyshawn never did know when to just shut the heck up.
B.S.P.N. what a joke.
Would you rather have Cowher or Gruden as your next head coach.
Thumbs up for Cowher
Thumbs down for Gruden
Chuckie!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
ALTHOUGH JOHN GRUDEN IS A GREAT COACH, HE DOES COME OFF AS VERY ABRASIVE, NOW AT THE SAME TIME, IF YOURE MAKING MILLIONS OF DOLLARS, YOU KINDA HAVE TO JUST DEAL WITH IT (WHATEVER IS BEING SAID) AND GO TO WORK JUST LIKE THE REST OF THE WORLD.
Him knowing it happened and using it as an example does not show anything about him being thick skinned or not,
Its a total joke that ESPN hired Keyshawn “MeShawn” Johnson,,,he’s exactly the type nobody really cares to recieve insight from b/c he’s selfish, arrogant & clearly doesnt get the team aspect of the game….I guess T.O. or Ocho is next once they are forced into retirement (like MeShawn) due to lack of interest by the league
HOPEFULLY, it is isn’t Rex Ryans Wife’s Sock! Lord knows where that things been, “oy vey… OY VEY everybody!!”
Who’s got two thumbs, a cushy broadcasting gig and a giant mouth?
*This Guy!*
Why does Gruden look like he’s taking a massive dump in that pic?
Man Keyshawn Johnson, look at this guy. It’s always about him and never the team. I’ll tell you what he can play on my team anytime, as soon as he grows some thick skin.
And Keyshawn was a zero-factor in the Bucs Superbowl season.
What a wasted NFL career.
I”m not surprised. I love both these guys becasue they could get upset over anything, some guys just like to argue and make a point. They both could argue how round a circle is.
If you want to play QB for Gruden, you need to have some thick armor around your spleen.
I’m sooo over Gruden. congratulations Jon you won a superbowl with Tony Dungys’ team 8yrs ago and you’ve been riding that wave for too long now. Go Away!!!
I change the channel when Keyshawn starts talking.
I have stopped watching Sunday Countdown. They are nothing but clowns on that show. Besides Ditka, I don’t respect anyone’s opinion on that show.
Gruden was saying Keyshawn couldn’t take it when things got tough.
Meshawn Johnson…..
gruden can’t coach.
A selfish player, and a selfish coach.
GOD someone put a sock in Gruden’s mouth. He has made Monday Night Football utterly unwatchable.
Gruden was never that great a coach. He has real trouble developing QBs. Most of the time, he just settles on bringing in stop-gaps at the position. Actually, in hindsight, he does that pretty much at EVERY position. He’s not a groomer like Bill Walsh or Don Shula was, he’s a plug & replace Head Coach, and I’m not a big fan of that sort. Hope he’s not the next HC of my Dolphins. God help us!
Everyone wants to have an opinion. But its hard to know what truly happened without being there. Sometimes in life good people simply do not get along for whatever reason. I have known some really good people that I simply did not click with. It happens and in an environment like the NFL where there is tremendous pressure on everyone. It is not surprising things like this happen.
The Keyshawn/Gruden incident was a blemish on Both Gruden and Keyshawn’s rep and its something that I am sure both regret. We all make mistakes everyday. Fortunately not mistakes that are in the public eye that people never forget. I think we hold these players and coaches to a standard that is way to high.
I bet that face of him up top is the same one he makes when he pulls up to kfc and they tell him their out of potatoe salad.
I have to admit that I would rather watch Chuckie on the side lines and read his lips (not very hard to do) when things go badly. He’s very entertaining in that venue, but not so much as an analyst.
Keshawn is totally worthless, on the field or in the studio. I’m surprised that he hasn’t rewritten the books on how to play football, he considers himself to be such an expert. Just once I’d like to see Ditka or Jackson smack him across the mouth. He shows no respect to them at all.
Meshawn has always been the only player Chuckie didn’t absolutely love!
Keyshawn was a diva. Sensitive. Just like TO, Chad, Dez Bryant. They’re punks. Give me a guy like Wes Welker, Andre Johnson, Hines Ward. Those are the type of receivers I want on my roster.