Tag: rob gronkowski

Rob Gronkowski says ex-Giant Jeremy Shockey was his hero growing up

Rob Gronkowski is arguably one of the best tight ends of all-time and somewhere down the line, will find his way to Canton, where he’ll be enshrined in the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

That’s a dream realized for Gronk, who grew up wanting to emulate some of the other great tight ends of his time.

But it wasn’t Tony Gonzalez or Antonio Gates or Jason Witten whom Gronk truly looked up to. Rather, it was former New York Giants great Jeremy Shockey.

During a recent appearance on Up & Adams with Kay Adams, Gronk recalled writing to his “hero” as a young teenager.

“When I was in ninth grade, it was write a letter to your hero or whoever you looked up to or whoever it was,” Gronk recalled. “We wrote a letter and mine was obviously to my hero, Jeremy Shockey. . . I was also a big fan of (Shockey) already. I knew all about (him) from being at the University of Miami.

“To this day, that’s the only fan mail I’ve ever wrote to anyone.”

Shockey was highly amused by the entire story and joked that he’d been writing to Gronkowski for several years without a reply.

Gronk admits he, too, never got a reply from Shockey but acknowledges that the letter may have never arrived.

In recent months, the two have formed a bond and become friendly, which seems fitting given their respective personalities. Shockey was Gronk before Gronk was Gronk.

Shockey was a first-round pick (fourth overall) of the Giants in the 2002 NFL draft and he had an immediate impact. Coupled with unique athleticism, Shockey was an extremely physical player who never shied away from contact — often seeking out defenders to bowl over — and whose emotions were worn on his sleeve.

The four-time Pro Bowler and two-time Super Bowl champion hauled in 547 receptions for 6,143 yards and 37 touchdowns in his career, which also included stops with the New Orleans Saints and Carolina Panthers.

Shockey was a favorite of the late Wellington Mara, who the tight end admittedly loved.

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‘I wouldn’t read into’ Rob Gronkowski’s comments

NFL legend and four-time Super Bowl champion, Rob Gronkowski, is currently retired and it’s unlikely that changes any time soon. But earlier this month, he did suggest that if he were to unretire, it would only be for New York Giants head coach Brian Daboll.

“Brian Daboll wants me on his roster, I know it,” Gronk joked on Up & Adams. “Brian Daboll. He can’t get me out of retirement but he would have the best chance to get me out of retirement.”

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Although Gronk was pretty clear that the chances of him returning are slim to none, he did like the idea of playing alongside Darren Waller.

“That would be pretty wild. I always believe that having two tight ends — it makes the defense have the most difficult times,” said Gronkowski. “If you have two tight ends, I think that could make the offense unstoppable. And it’s rare if you go back to my days when I had another tight end with me, it just makes the offense prolific, unstoppable, it gives you so many more options in the run game and the pass game and play action.”

On Monday morning, as the Giants returned to team facilities for the final week of training camp practice, Daboll was asked about Gronk and his recent comments.

Although Daboll is close with Gronk, he said the unretirement talk should be taken with a grain of salt.

“I’m close with Rob,” Daboll said. “I have a lot of respect and admiration. I coached him for four years. He’s a good friend. We’ve talked — I’m not saying we’ve talked about that but he’s a close friend.

“I coached him up for four years. He’s a very productive player for you and really a good person. We’re from the same town (but) I wouldn’t read too much into (his comments).”

Gronk is obviously not returning to play for Daboll but leave it up to the charismatic 34-year-old to stir things up and create a buzz with a few simple half-joking comments.

Then again, in the words of Jerry Reese, never say never.



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Rob Gronkowski teases NFL return with Brian Daboll

The New York Giants had a surprisingly successful year in 2022 under rookie head coach Brian Daboll.

Big Blue followed that up by making a big splash during the peak of free agency when they traded for tight end Darren Waller.

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Former tight end Rob Gronkowski was a guest on Up & Adams hosted by Kay Adams and talked about the possibility of coming out of retirement. He was specifically asked what head coach has the best chance to lure Gronk out of retirement:

“Brian Daboll wants me on his roster, I know it,” Gronk joked. “Brian Daboll. He can’t get me out of retirement but he would have the best chance to get me out of retirement.”

Adams then asked about the possibility of Gronk and Waller together:

“That would be pretty wild. I always believe that having two tight ends; it makes the defense have the most difficult times,” said Gronkowski. “If you have two tight ends, I think that could make the offense unstoppable. And it’s rare if you go back to my days when I had another tight end with me, it just makes the offense prolific, unstoppable, it gives you so many more options in the run game and the pass game and play action.”

Gronkowski, of course, was on the New England Patriots when Aaron Hernandez was also in his prime.

Although it isn’t likely that he would return to the field, it is something that he gave Daboll the best chance to get him back. For what it’s worth, Gronkowski firmly believes his playing days are behind him:

“I love to pretend that I can still play. It makes me feel good. But no, I can’t – I’m washed up. But I just like to pretend.” Gronkowski told Adams.

As washed up as Gronkowski may be, it would be some story to see him in line up with Waller.

Many people believe the Giants already have an elite duo with Daniel Bellinger following an impressive rookie season. Bellinger showed up earlier this offseason looking like he put on some muscle for his sophomore season.

Adding Gronkowski would be exciting, but there is plenty to be excited about between Waller and Bellinger.



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Rob Gronkowski explains to Jimmy Fallon how partying made him a better football player

An animal on the field and a party animal in the bar.

Four-time Super Bowl champion Rob Gronkowski opened up on “The Tonight Show starring Jimmy Fallon” about how he believes partying made him a superstar tight end in the NFL.

The Buffalo native first credited his hometown for molding him into the charismatic partier he’s notoriously known as to fans.

“I just had a good time growing up. I’m from Buffalo,” Gronkowski told Fallon. “The Bills Mafia, they’re tailgating. They’re jumping off RVs into tables, breaking open. That’s how I grew up.”

The five-time Pro Bowler told Fallon he would tell everyone makes him a “better player out on the field” if he parties.


Gronk gives credit to his home city of Buffalo for making him into the partier he’s known as today.
Instagram / Gronk

Gronkowski said he analyzed how partying made him a better tight end.

“Well, I’m carrying my friends, you know, throughout the bar. I’m holding them up! I’m lifting. I’m curling them! There on my back, I’m jumping up and down! I’m dancing the whole time. Kinda like Austin Butler. I’m gyrating!”

The 33-year-old retired tight end realized all the exhilarating bar workouts “translated to the football field.”

“Yeah, of course it does,” Fallon sarcastically agreed.

With the Super Bowl LVII’s match-up between the Kansas City Chiefs and Philadelphia Eagles set, Fallon asked Gronk who he thinks would be crowned champion.

“I would say Philadelphia has been playing more like a team throughout the whole season. I’m gonna go with the Eagles.”

Gronkowski, who retired once in 2019, only to come out of retirement to join his former New England Patriot quarterback Tom Brady on the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and win another Super Bowl in 2020, officially retired again in June 2022.


Gronk partying after Tampa Bays Super Bowl win with long-time girlfriend and model Camille Kostek.
Instagram / Gronk

“How close were you to suiting up again this season,” Fallon asked Gronkowski.

The Arizona Wildcats alumni revealed he was “kinda close” to returning to the gridiron during the season, saying he “missed it sometimes.”

“I missed it sometimes, but not really. Then I’d miss it for like an hour, and then I would go workout, and then I’d be like, ‘Nah, I don’t miss it. I don’t even have the energy to work out.”

Gronk revealed he had a couple of phone calls with a few weeks remaining in the season and “took them serious.”


Gronk and Brady together after winning Super Bowl LV with the Buccaneers.
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“I took a five day period to see if I really wanted to go back,” Gronkowski wholeheartedly told Fallon, explaining he’s been an athlete his whole life. It was something he had to consider for the opportunity alone.

The 2014 Comeback Player of the Year said he didn’t think about returning once during those five days and graciously informed the teams giving him calls to return that he would not be suiting up.

Gronkowski disclosed that Brady had tried to persuade him to come back to play with the Buccaneers, but he still had to pass.

“He definitely supports me throughout the year, if I’m playing football or not playing football.”

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Rob Gronkowski slams Aaron Rodgers for thinking about MVPs

Add Rob Gronkowski to the list of those questioning Aaron Rodgers’ remarks.

On Tuesday, Rodgers went on “The Pat McAfee Show” and was non-committal about whether he would return to the Packers, but was of the belief there is fuel left in the tank.

“Do I still think I can play?” Rodgers said. “Of course. Of course. Can I play at a high level? Yeah, the highest. I think I can win MVP again in the right situation.”

Gronkowski, the former tight end for the Patriots and Buccaneers, went on “Up and Adams” on FanDuel TV and opined that Rodgers should be thinking about team championships rather than individual accolades.

Aaron Rodgers was non-committal as to whether he will return to the Packers next season.
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“I’m totally fine with everything he said, except one major part — and that’s the MVP. [It should be] ‘I think I can win another Super Bowl,’” Gronkowski said. “That would’ve been totally fine. Like bro, why are you thinking MVP? Don’t you want Super Bowls? Super Bowls are, I think, five times greater than an MVP award.

“Like, we all know you won the MVP a few times now, but everyone would know even more how many more Super Bowls you’ve won than MVPs. That’s why I’m a little confused about that quote. It should be Super Bowls. You should never be thinking the MVP when Super Bowls are twice [as important].”

Rodgers, 39, has won one Super Bowl and four MVPs with the Packers, including the past two. Gronkowski, who retired after last season, has four Super Bowl victories with Tom Brady slinging him the ball with the Patriots and Buccaneers.

Rob Gronkowski criticized Aaron Rodgers for saying he can still play at an MVP level as opposed to talking about team Super Bowl wins.
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Rodgers did express the importance of contending for championships elsewhere in the conversation with McAfee.

“There’s no point in coming back to play football unless you think you can win it all,” Rodgers told the former punter.



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Tom Brady thanks teammates with milestone approaching

Buccaneers quarterback Tom Brady says “he can’t do sh-t” in the NFL without help.

During a press conference on Monday, Brady was nonchalant when asked about nearing 100,000 total passing yards — regular season and postseason — saying that he doesn’t deserve all the credit. The quarterback is only 164 yards away.

“I think for me it’s a credit to all the guys that I’ve played with, and who have blocked for me, who have caught passes,” said Brady, who is only 164 yards away from the six-figure milestone. “I think all those things are a great celebration to all those guys. I think I can’t do sh-t in this league without guys doing what they are amazing at, too.

“I’m very fortunate to play with great players, people who catch the football, great coaches, and being down here has been an amazing experience for me,” Brady said before naming his Bucs receivers and his former Patriots teammate, Rob Gronkowski.

“Playing with Mike [Evans] and Chris [Godwin], and that’s why I came here, because of guys like that. I played with [Rob Gronkowski] all those years. Obviously, I could name every player that I’ve played with and how meaningful they are to my life and what they’ve contributed in terms of the memories I have from this sport,” Brady said.

Buccaneers quarterback Tom Brady warms up prior to the game against the Baltimore Ravens at Raymond James Stadium on Oct. 27, 2022 in Tampa, Florida.
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“So I feel like these are all — they’re great achievements, but for as much as people want to say, ‘Oh, this is what Tom Brady did,’ in my mind this is what myself and all these other people who have contributed to my life have done as well.”

Brady could very well surpass 100,000 total passing yards on Sunday when the Buccaneers host the Rams — a team that helped motivate Brady to un-retire, following Tampa Bay’s NFC divisional-round playoff loss to Los Angeles last January.

However, the quarterback made it clear that he’s focused on winning football games as he and the 3-5 Bucs continue to “fight” through struggles. The Buccaneers enter Week 9 on a three-game losing streak.

Buccaneers quarterback Tom Brady looks to pass against the Baltimore Ravens during the second quarter at Raymond James Stadium on Oct. 27, 2022 in Tampa, Florida.
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“I mean we’re right in the middle of the year — it’s in the thick of the fight — and we just haven’t played well enough to get our record to a point where we can be super excited about what we’re at,” Brady said.

“It’s not like it gets easier; it’s not like it gets any less competitive. No one feels sorry for us, nor should they. They’re trying to win those games. We’re trying to win, and we just haven’t done a good job the last six weeks doing that.”

Brady expressed optimism in his team, despite consistent struggles on offense. Tampa Bay is averaging 18 points per game, which ranks 24th in the NFL and the worst ever by a Brady-led team. The Bucs defense is also dealing with a number of injuries.

Tom Brady and Gisele Bündchen with their kids after the quarterback and the buccaneers won the Super Bowl in February 2021.
Instagram/Gisele Bündchen

In the same press conference, Brady was asked about if he’s “OK” after announcing his divorce from his wife of 13 years, Gisele Bündchen.

“Um, that’s a very generic question,” Brady said with a smile. “I wrote something on my social media. I’ve always tried to do the best I could do here, and then when I leave here, try to do the best I could do, and that’s what we all try to do. 

“I’m sure everyone sitting in this room, everyone sitting at home is trying to wake up every day doing the best they could do for their families and their career, and I’m no different. So, just do the best you can do every day, it’s what we certainly try to do.”

Last Friday, Brady and Bündchen confirmed in separate statements that they finalized their divorce and the split was amicable. The ex-couple said they are focused on co-parenting their kids, son Benjamin, 12, and daughter Vivian, 9, as well as son Jack, 15, from one of Brady’s previous relationships.

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