Jon Gruden unboxes gift box from Josh Heupel with insane amount of swag while name dropping every Tennessee legend

Jon Gruden, the former NFL coach and now color commentator, was caught off guard during a recent video broadcast when he received a very special gift. The package, sent by none other than Josh Heupel, the head coach of the Tennessee Volunteers, contained a level of swag that not only impressed Gruden but left him struggling to contain his excitement.

What transpired during the unboxing was a mix of gratitude, football nostalgia, and a hefty dose of name-dropping as Gruden took the opportunity to pay homage to the legends of Tennessee football, making the moment more than just an unboxing—it became a celebration of Tennessee’s storied football history.

It was a typical afternoon for Jon Gruden as he sat at the set of a sports broadcast. The camera was rolling, and Gruden was engaging in the usual banter, when suddenly, the staff walked in with a large, neatly wrapped gift box. The timing was impeccable—Gruden was mid-discussion about Tennessee football when the package appeared on set. He raised an eyebrow as the box was placed in front of him.

“What’s this?” Gruden asked, adjusting his headset and giving the camera a knowing smile. “I wasn’t expecting a care package today, but hey, I’ll take it!”

As the package was handed to him, Gruden’s hands immediately went to work, tearing at the wrapping with the same intensity that his teams used to approach the game. The sound of paper ripping echoed through the broadcast room as the anticipation in the air grew palpable. This wasn’t just any unboxing—it was the beginning of something memorable.

Gruden’s eyes widened as he opened the box to reveal an assortment of items that screamed “Vols football” in the best possible way. The first item that emerged was a Tennessee Volunteers hoodie, the familiar orange and white colors emblazoned with the iconic “T” logo. Gruden chuckled as he held it up to the camera, giving a thumbs-up. “Now this is what I’m talkin’ about!” he said, clearly impressed by the quality and design.

But that wasn’t the only item in the box. As he continued to dig through, Gruden pulled out a vintage Tennessee Volunteers cap, a sleek pair of sunglasses, and a number of other Tennessee-branded items, each seemingly cooler than the last. There was a custom football with Tennessee’s famous checkerboard pattern on it, a set of commemorative pins honoring the 1998 national championship team, and even a Tennessee-themed whiskey decanter for a post-game celebration.

As Gruden dug deeper into the box, the swag kept coming. There were autographed footballs from legendary players like Peyton Manning and Reggie White, a vintage Volunteers jacket with the signature orange color, and a slew of smaller items like koozies, stickers, and rally towels that fans typically wave during home games at Neyland Stadium. Each item felt more like a treasure trove of Tennessee football history than just a gift.

With every new item, Gruden seemed to get more excited, and each piece of swag sparked memories of some of the biggest names in Tennessee football history. It wasn’t long before Gruden began to rattle off the names of some of the most iconic players to ever don the Volunteers’ uniform.

“Look at this! This brings me back to the glory days,” Gruden began, his voice rising with enthusiasm. “Peyton Manning, the man himself! One of the greatest quarterbacks to ever play the game. You know, I remember watching him at Tennessee, and it was clear he had that ‘it’ factor even back then. He was destined for greatness.”

He held up a ball signed by Peyton Manning, running his hand over the autograph. “This ball? This is legendary,” he continued. “Manning was a competitor, a leader on and off the field. He set the bar high for quarterbacks everywhere. That ’98 season? Wow. What a team. He led that offense like a maestro conducting a symphony. And who could forget that unforgettable Peach Bowl win?”

As Gruden spoke, he also began to reminisce about other Tennessee legends. “And let’s talk about the big man, Reggie White. The Minister of Defense. One of the most dominant defensive players I’ve ever seen. I had the privilege of watching him play, and he could change a game with a single play. White was unstoppable, and his time at Tennessee paved the way for his legendary career in the NFL.”

Gruden continued flipping through the swag, each item sparking more memories. “Tennessee’s rich football history doesn’t stop there. You’ve got names like Johnny Majors, the head coach who built this program into a powerhouse. Majors’ teams were tough, disciplined, and relentless. His leadership laid the foundation for everything that came after him.”

As Gruden examined a pair of custom Tennessee sunglasses, he couldn’t help but think of another legend: “And we can’t forget about the ‘Doomsday Defense’—guys like Al Wilson, who was a nightmare for offenses. Wilson was one of the best linebackers to ever play in the SEC. His passion for the game was contagious, and he played with an intensity that fired up everyone around him.”

Gruden’s eyes twinkled as he turned to the next item: a commemorative pin set. “Here’s a little something for the fans who lived through the ‘98 championship. That was a magical season. Phil Fulmer’s leadership, the contributions of guys like Tee Martin and Travis Henry—it was a total team effort. And who could forget that national title game against Florida State? Tennessee had a balanced offense, great defense, and the right mentality to win it all.”

His face lit up as he grabbed a vintage Tennessee jacket. “And this jacket? This reminds me of guys like Jason Witten. A future Hall of Famer who played with such grit. Witten was a beast at tight end, both at Tennessee and in the NFL. The guy could do it all—block, catch passes, and most importantly, lead.”

Gruden’s storytelling continued as he ran through more pieces of swag, including a commemorative football. “Tennessee’s got some serious football tradition, no doubt about it. There’s been no shortage of players who’ve left a lasting impact. Think about the running backs, too—guys like Jamal Lewis and Travis Henry. Those two were absolute studs. Tennessee’s running back tradition has always been strong, and those guys were no exception.”

After nearly every item in the gift box had been revealed, Gruden paused, giving a satisfied sigh. He looked into the camera, reflecting on the vast history of the Tennessee Volunteers football program. “This is more than just swag,” Gruden said, his voice filled with reverence. “This is a piece of history. And let me tell you something, there is no shortage of legends in Tennessee football. From Peyton Manning to Reggie White to the hard-nosed guys who built this program, Tennessee has always had a knack for producing greatness.”

Just as he was about to wrap up, Gruden reached for the Tennessee-themed whiskey decanter. He held it up with a grin. “And hey, we might just need a little Tennessee whiskey to toast all these legends. Cheers to the Volunteers! Here’s to all the great players who’ve made this program what it is today!”

He gave a wink to the camera and took a pretend sip, signaling the end of the unboxing. But the memories, stories, and legendary names would continue to resonate long after the cameras had stopped rolling.

Jon Gruden’s unboxing experience of the gift box from Josh Heupel was more than just a fun moment; it was a celebration of Tennessee football’s rich history and the many players who have made the program a powerhouse in college football. From Peyton Manning to Reggie White to Al Wilson, Gruden didn’t miss a single opportunity to name-drop these legends while connecting the dots between the present and the past.

The unboxing was a nod to Tennessee’s storied football legacy, and for Gruden, it was a chance to relive some of the most memorable moments in football history. For fans of Tennessee football, this unboxing served as a reminder of the greatness that has come from Rocky Top, and for Gruden, it was a moment to pay homage to one of the most iconic programs in college football history.