Before calling Texans-Bengals, MNF’s Gruden meets local prep players for ‘Chalk Talk’

Gruden spoke at this event two days before his Monday Night Football Texans-Bengals telecast. (Allison Stoneberg/ESPN)

Gruden spoke with players and coaches about the value of sports . (Allison Stoneberg/ESPN)

Four high school programs in the Cincinnati area were represented at the event, including LaSalle, Reading, Lakota and Fairfield. (Allison Stoneberg/ESPN)

Gruden speaks to local news crews. (Allison Stoneberg/ESPN)

Attendees huddle for a strategy session with the Super Bowl-winning coach and MNF analyst.

CINCINNATI – On Nov. 14, ESPN Monday Night Football analyst Jon Gruden hosted a “Chalk Talk” event at Dick’s Sporting Goods to honor four high school programs in the Cincinnati area: LaSalle, Reading, Lakota and Fairfield.

LaSalle High School will be featured in the weekly “Monday Night Lights” segments airing tonight during the telecasts of Monday Night Countdown (ESPN, 6 p.m. ET) and MNF’s Houston Texans at Cincinnati Bengals (ESPN, 8:30).

Earlier this season, ESPN launched “Lights,” a youth football series that highlights the MNF and Countdown crews interacting with local high school and Pee Wee teams at every game.