On world stage, Gruden's son looks to make his own name

TAMPA (FOX 13) - He's always been a chip off the old block. Jon Gruden’s oldest son, Deuce, is now 23 years old and all grown up. He took the family path of football from high school at Carrollwood Day on to college, but is now making a name for himself in the world of power lifting.

"I fell in love with strength training in college,” he told FOX 13’s Scott Smith.  “Once I discovered power lifting it was like, game over. I have something to compete in after football.”

He's quickly climbed up the ranks -- squatting 622 pounds, a 440-pound bench and a 666-pound dead lift. In some ways, he owes it all to growing up a Gruden.

"I remember back in the day he taught me. He took me into the Bucs facility and was like, 'This is the squat rack. This is what you do. This is how you squat.' He's played a big role in that."

As Deuce charts his own path in the world of weights, his biggest competition to date will take him a world away -- the world championships in Minsk.

"From what I see it's going to be a heckuva battle. So, it's going to be exciting."

His dad will be there, coaching him up.  In fact, the whole Gruden family is going.

"They're coming with. The whole fam is going to be down there. They're ready to go. They're excited, nervous, all that," he continued.

Minsk, Belarus is a city that speaks Russian.  Does he have a lot of familiarity with the language?

"Aside from ‘Rocky IV,’ not much," he smiled.

I decided to help him out, providing Russian translations for, 'Can you spot me?' and 'Do you want a ticket to the gun show?'

"I'm definitely going to memorize that one," Deuce laughed.

While his Russian could use some work, his perspective is right on the money. Deuce Gruden is ready to make the most of this big opportunity.

"The last name is why I am where I am. It's how I got in the door,” he offered.  “But my dad always said he'll be able to get me in the door -- it's my job to stay in that lane.”