Former National Football League head coach and current ESPN analyst, Jon Gruden will headline the Opening Ceremonies. Gruden works alongside play-by-play commentator Mike Tirico on Monday Night Football. He does regular film study for MNF and conducts the QB Camp interviews at his office in Tampa, Florida.

A back-up quarterback at the University of Dayton, Gruden worked his way through the ranks coaching at the college level before moving on to the NFL. His NFL career began in 1990 when he was hired by former San Francisco 49ers offensive coordinator Mike Holmgren as an assistant in charge of quality control.

After stints as a wide receivers coach and offensive coordinator, Gruden moved on to become the head coach of the Oakland Raiders (1998-2001). In 2002 Gruden became the head coach of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers (2002-08) where he led the team to a Super Bowl XXXVII title beating his former team, the Raiders, 48-21.

Gruden was a successful NFL head coach for 11 seasons with a career record of 100-85, leading his teams to five division titles. He was 38 years old when he won the championship, making him the youngest head coach to capture the title.

The Opening Ceremonies will also feature a performance by the shadow dancing troupe Catapult. Created in 2008 by Adam Battlestein, the dancers are skilled in transforming their bodies into seemingly impossible images. Catapult has amazed corporate audiences across the country. 

They competed in season 8 of America’s Got Talent. Catapult advanced to the semifinals before they were eliminated from the competition.