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AFL I Arena Football League (1987-2008)

Lord of the Rings

August 1, 2002 - Arena Football League (1987-2008) (AFL I) News Release


Inside the Career of Jay Gruden

ORLANDO (August 1, 2002) -- It's no fantasy, it's Grudenville, and we're just living in it.

Quarterback JAY GRUDEN of the Orlando Predators exemplifies the word "Champion" more than any other player who has competed in the Arena Football League since 1987. His five touchdowns against the Buffalo Destroyers in the first round of playoffs last week, has set up a quarterfinal showdown with the Eastern Division champs, New Jersey Gladiators this Saturday.

In his first season back after a five-year hiatus, Gruden guided the Predators to a Southern Division championship while finishing second in the league behind Grand Rapids' CLINT DOLEZEL with 3,621 passing yards and sixth with 68 touchdowns. Not bad for a guy whose last playoff game as a quarterback was a 42-38 victory over KURT WARNER's Iowa Barnstormers in the 1996's ArenaBowl game.

While some football scholars may list others as bigger champs, think about this: In six seasons as quarterback of the Tampa Bay Storm from 1991 to 1996, Gruden won four ArenaBowl championships amassed more than 15,500 passing yards and 280 touchdowns while completing almost 60-percent of his passes. He retired as the league's all-time leading passer, carrying with him a league MVP award in 1992 and ArenaBowl MVP trophy in 1993.

As a player, Gruden's teams have won 76 of 100 games, including a JOE MONTANA-like 13 wins in 15 playoff games.

He became head coach of the Predators in 1998 following one season as offensive coordinator of the Nashville Kats, and eventually won a pair of championships in 1998 and 2000. He went to the big game in three of his four seasons. Postseason record? He's 8-2 as a head coach. Did you expect less?

"I've been fortunate to be around great people," said Gruden, once the game' s youngest head coach at 30 and now it's oldest quarterback at 35. "They had the desire to win. We had a great coach (TIM MARCUM) in Tampa, who put together a talented group of players. When we won the ArenaBowl the first time, no one became complacent, we just kept getting better."

Gruden began his playing career under HOWARD SCHNELLENBERGER at the University of Louisville, where he set school passing marks in practically every category while winning team MVP honors in 1987 and 1988. It was his arm that led Louisville to a win over Alabama in the Fiesta Bowl as a senior.

Like most college quarterbacks who aren't named Montana, Marino or Elway, Gruden became a pro football gypsy, bouncing from the NFL to the World League before finding his niche in the confines of Arena Football.

There aren't too many who would argue that Gruden may have been the first Kurt Warner-like success story if given the chance. Nonetheless, he etched out a career worthy of the Hall of Fame on any level. In his ‘final season' back in ‘96, Gruden threw for a career-high of 70 touchdowns while leading the Storm to the second of back-to-back titles.

Gruden's coaching style mirrored that of his reputation as a player - a gambler. If he were faced with fourth and one, he'd pass. Down by seven with a second to go? Two-point attempt. That kind of spunk and the confidence it breeds in players as a result are the reasons why Orlando won a pair of titles using three different quarterbacks along the way.

"Jay is one of the gutsiest players to have played Arena Football," said GEORGE LAFRANCE, a soon to be Hall of Famer who played along side and against Jay Gruden. "He was a coach on the field, and he was always making something out of nothing."

Like a LARRY BIRD of the Astroturf. With all the success Gruden has achieved as both a player and coach, you'd think the NFL would come knocking... hard. Despite offers, Gruden chose to stay in a tiny, but competitive world he virtually put on the map.

"I've put so much time into this league as a player and coach that I have a strong sense of loyalty. We're going to great places and I don't want to miss out on that. I've been fortunate in that I've never had to send a resume out in my life. I hope I never have to either."

Well, there is no doubt a few NFL general managers are wishing he would.

Gruden's family is an emerging football dynasty, like the Bowdens or the Shulas. Jay's father Jim scouts for the San Francisco 49ers and older brother Jon coaches the (drum roll, please) Tampa Bay Buccaneers. You won't catch them discussing the finer points of gourmet cooking at family reunions.

"I think we'd work well together, but he'd be tough to work for," said Jay, who turned down an offer earlier this year to coach with his older brother and the Bucs. "I have so much respect for him. His dedication and work ethic are unmatched. I think he has more knowledge than most of the coaches in the NFL. I love picking his brain."

The Grudens became the first brother tandem in history to helm a pro football team at the same time – and both were the youngest in their respective leagues. Both remain very brash, innovative, and fearless. Those seem to be the exact ingredients for a championship caliber player to morph into a great coach... and back again.

"I look around my house and I see the articles, the photos, the trophies, the six rings, and I feel blessed," said Gruden. "I've been spoiled by winning. It's starting to become normal."

Only champions can call winning normal. But, anything's possible in Grudenville.



Arena Football League (1987-2008) Stories from August 1, 2002


The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.


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