‘Animated’ Tom Brady once refused to leave the game so that Rob Gronkowski could get his $1 million catch bonus
Tom Brady once refused to leave the field in the fourth quarter of 2021 NFL season to get his best friend Rob Gronkowski $1 million incentive.
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Tom Brady with Rob Gronkowski (Via Bleacher Report)
True Tampa Bay Buccaneers fans will always remember the final game of the 2021 NFL regular season, where Tom Brady refused to leave the football field in the fourth quarter, even with a comfortable lead against the Carolina Panthers. For those who may have forgotten that night, the legendary quarterback did it for his friend and longtime teammate, Rob Gronkowski.
What happened was the legendary tight end was set to earn a $1 million incentive bonus upon recording 750 receiving yards and 55 receptions during his season. All he needed to secure those two bonuses of $500,000 each was to make seven catches and 85 receiving yards.
Gronk succeeded with the yardage count early, in the third quarter of the game. He needed only one more reception in the game’s final minutes to hit his lucrative bonus. However, the Bucs were replacing the starters with No. 2 as the team was leading at 33-17 and they were already in the playoffs.
But the seven-time Super Bowl champion refused to leave the field until his teammate finalized his bonus. CBS footage captured the moment on the sideline, where Brady was seen retrieving his helmet, informing the coaching staff that he wasn’t leaving the game.
He indeed stood by his words after throwing a short pass to Gronk near the sideline and securing the latter’s bonus. The moment the tight end made the catch, Brady left the field and backup Blaine Gabbert took over– making it evident that he only stayed for his best friend.
Tom Brady and Rob Gronkowski reunite as analysts at Fox Sports
The legendary quarterback-tight end duo has reunited after two years, but this time inside the Fox Sports booth as analysts. After retiring from the NFL, both best friends opted to join broadcasting, and fortunately, both landed in Fox Sports.
After wrapping the Philadelphia Eagles vs Tampa Bay Buccaneers match on Sunday, Gronk and Brady were teased for the former’s excited shouts at the latter by the crew. The GOAT playfully replied, “ It’s finally his turn to yell at me!” referencing the several times the quarterback yelled at the tight end during their time together on the field.
In fact, Gronk got really upset and considered Brady a “j**k” for shouting at him during his rookie year with the New England Patriots. Over time, as they developed a deeper understanding of each other, they transformed into a formidable duo and best of friends.
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Pratyusha Srivastava
(2078 Articles Published)