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Iraq trip makes Gruden appreciate real veterans

Photo by MIKE THEILER

Gruden poses for a photo with U.S. Army Capt. Erica Chin who is wearing Gruden's Super Bowl ring.

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By IRA KAUFMAN | The Tampa Tribune

Published: July 17, 2009

TAMPA - As he stared into yet another young face halfway across the world, Jon Gruden struggled to keep his composure.

The former Buccaneers head coach just spent an emotional Fourth of July weekend touring U.S. bases in Iraq, accompanied by former Steelers coach (now CBS analyst) Bill Cowher and three current NFL head coaches, Tom Coughlin (Giants), Jeff Fisher (Titans) and John Harbaugh (Ravens).

"If we met 3,000 soldiers personally, that might be an understatement,'' Gruden said this week before catching a flight to Philadelphia to visit NFL Films as part of his preparation for the Monday Night Football broadcast booth this fall. "When the league office called me, I was honored just to be included.

"We got to shake hands with people of different rank, different ethnic backgrounds, men and women that are away from their families for eight months, 11 months, 14 months at a time. They're 15 hours from home and their morale is unbelievable. Their discipline and collective support for each other brings tears to your eyes.''

Gruden made sure he brought a tangible symbol of Tampa Bay's 2002 championship run when he landed in Baghdad.

"I was absolutely humbled in their presence,'' Gruden said, six months after his dismissal as head coach of the Buccaneers. "I took my Super Bowl ring over there and I let every person I met put that ring on their finger. After all, they're the real world champions.

"They're the ones that allow us to have freedom of press and speech. Even though my play-calling was lousy, I was allowed to call any play I wanted to call. Thank God for these people. They don't make a lot of money – they're doing it for their country.''

Gruden was especially impressed with General Ray Odierno, commander of U.S. forces in the region.

"He's the 4-star general that really is the head coach over there,'' Gruden said. "That's the one guy America needs to know because he's been there four years and there's no HBO, no Outback Steakhouse and no golf courses. The guy has the mental toughness to lead 130,000 of our young soldiers every day.

"I never understood the progress we've made there until I went to Iraq. They have a democracy and a tremendous future and our presence has helped.''

Gruden, who is anxious to work with Ron Jaworski and Mike Tirico in the ESPN booth, will never look at veterans the same way.

"When they get back, if you're in an airport or a restaurant and you see a military person, let them have your seat,'' he said. "Let 'em ahead of you in line. All they want to hear is a little thank you for going the distance for us. They don't want a banquet. They just want to be thanked and recognized for their great sacrifice.''

Reporter Ira Kaufman can be reached at (813) 259-7833.

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