The day two Jon Grudens talked football (more or less) in one room
After spending some time with the real Jon Gruden, impersonator Frank Caliendo prank-phoned Arizona Cardinals GM Steve Keim who owned the first pick in the NFL draft.
What is it with Frank Caliendo and Raiders coaches?
The impressionist burst on the scene about a decade ago, propelled by his killer bit on President George W. Bush.
But it soon became apparent that his impersonation of former Raiders head coach John Madden was his bread and butter. He never went anywhere without it. Speaking of butter:
Then Caliendo caught a rough break. Madden retired from the broadcast booth in 2009. As we speak there are 13-year-old football hardcores being recruited by Jim Harbaugh who have no clue who John Madden is. Caliendo stops by the Fox Sunday pregame shows during the NFL season and is unfailingly funny. And he slays it when playing Charles Barkley. But he’s been searching for another bread-and-butter bit, and for my money he’s got one.
Jon Gruden. See if you don’t agree.
Recently Caliendo and Chucky got together. I’m usually not into spoilers, but I just have to throw you a couple from their meeting.
Caliendo/Gruden hefts a remote device and asks, “You ever play with this coach’s clicker, man?”
Real Gruden replies drily: You use the (button) that says “play.”
Then Caliendo/Gruden asks real Gruden to diagram a play on the grease board. “Show me green right slot albacore 3 wide quesadilla.”
“This play does not exist,” real Gruden says.
“How about tarantula 2 z Beryllium phosphate?”
Raiders quarterback Derek Carr sits in for a couple minutes and it’s obvious he is digging the faux Gruden. The rest of it you can see for yourself.
P.S.: Life imitated performance art on Day 1 of last week’s NFL draft when Caliendo sent a voice text to Arizona Cardinals general manager Steve Keim, who had the first overall selection. Talking as Gruden, Caliendo proposed a trade. Before the curtain dropped on this charade Keim heard from — or believed he heard from — national reporters who cover the NFL. Thank goodness Caliendo uses his powers for good. Enjoy: