The man with the legendary work ethic was oddly absent from ESPN’s draft coverage Saturday.
Jon Gruden was scheduled to appear on ESPN’s main set for day three, but ESPN called an audible. Todd McShay replaced Gruden at Radio City Music Hall.
So what gives?
We caught wind of a rumor that Gruden simply decided he didn’t want to participate in the day reserved for the diehard draftniks. Contacted about Gruden’s absence, ESPN spokesman Bill Hofheimer confirmed Gruden was indeed scheduled to be part of the draft.
“Draft producer Jay Rothman gave him the rest,” Hofheimer told PFT via e-mail. “It was a mutual decision. Jon could have gone but both he and Rothman knew that ESPN’s coverage would still be in great shape with the existing teams in Radio City and Bristol.”
Maybe Gruden would have showed up if the draft started at 4:00 a.m.