(Photo by Jack Kurzenknabe)
Following the Patriots’ Super Bowl LII loss, rumors began to circulate that Rob Gronkowski, the most talented tight end the league has ever seen, might retire. This came as a shock to most fans, as it is difficult to imagine life without #87 on New England’s roster. No more Brady-to-Gronk up the seam; no more bulldozing defenders for a first down; no more Gronk spikes.
While most reports now indicate Gronkowski will most likely return in 2018, we must be careful not to take what he’s accomplished for granted. The absurdly dominant performances Gronk has put forth over the past eight years are nothing short of legendary.
Let’s take a look back at his time in the NFL with this list of his top 10 most memorable moments:
10. Leaping touchdown against Kansas City in 2011
As I mentioned earlier, one of the things that makes Gronkowski so unique is the way he handles contact; reckless abandon is the best way to describe it. On this play, Gronk leaps for the pylon from the three-yard line with Chiefs linebacker Derrick Johnson closing in fast. After being flipped a full 360 in the air, Gronk lands on his neck in what was a very scary play. Luckily, he was not injured.
9. Monster first half against Denver in the 2011 Divisional Round (skip to 1:36, 3:32, and 5:04)
Gronk exploded for three touchdowns in just the first half in the Patriots’ opening playoff game in 2011. This performance came on top of his record-setting regular season in which he found the endzone 18 times, the most of any tight end ever.
8. 79-yard score against the Giants in 2015
Gronkowski is the best vertical threat of any tight end in history. He runs the seam route better than anyone, and as a result he has an impressive career average of 15.1 yards per catch (Pro Football Reference). This play wasn’t in a huge game and didn’t carry any special significance, but it shows how dynamic Gronk is. His ability to stretch the field is rare among players his size.
7. Go-ahead touchdown in Super Bowl LII (skip to :55)
Not gonna lie, it hurts to watch this again. It’s unfortunate that the result of this game stains such a great play. Brady delivered a beautiful ball to Gronkowski in the corner of the endzone, and Gronk made the catch with Ronald Darby draped all over him. Perfect throw, perfect catch. Unstoppable.
6. One-handed catch against the Broncos in 2014
This is one of the more underrated catches in recent memory. Sure, it’s not exactly Odell, but the fact that Gronk came down with the ball in between three defenders using only his left hand makes for one hell of a play. Watch Broncos’ CB Chris Harris Jr. (#25 in white) after Gronkowski’s catch--he can’t believe what he just saw.
5. 49-yard gain against the Redskins in 2011
This play against Washington is perhaps the best example of Gronkowski’s sheer physical dominance. He literally carried guys on his back down the field, broke multiple tackles, and rumbled down the sideline for extra yardage. I mean, come on. Guys aren't supposed to be able to shrug off defenders like that in the NFL.
4. Final drive against the Steelers in Week 15 of the 2017 season (skip to 1:10)
This was a must-win for New England. At the time, it was almost certainly going to determine who would have home field advantage throughout the AFC playoffs. Down by five with two minutes remaining, Brady fed Gronkowski the football. Three consecutive plays, three catches for 69 yards for Gronk. In less than a minute, Gronk had carried the Patriots down the field and set up Dion Lewis’ game winning TD run. The drive was punctuated by Gronk embarrassing Steelers CB Sean Davis with his move off the line of scrimmage and catching a fade route for the 2-point conversion. He then proceeded to laugh in Davis’ face and robotically spike the football with obscene force. Gronk’s refreshing, youthful enthusiasm was on full display here.
3. Touchdown in Super Bowl XLIX
As soon as Seattle linebacker K.J. Wright followed Gronkowski out wide and was left one-on-one (no safety help), most fans watching the game knew exactly where Brady was going with the ball. Extending over Wright in the endzone, Gronk brought in the pass and gave the Patriots the lead in the big game.
This can serve as a lesson to any that dare talk trash to Rob Gronkowski: You will be driven off of the field and into a camera man on the sideline. On the following series, Gronkowski found the endzone in typical Gronk fashion; he scored on a 26-yard catch and run, breaking tackles and flying through the air with reckless abandon.
1. 4th-Down conversion and touchdown in the 2015 AFC Championship Game
All seemed (and eventually was) lost with under two minutes to go in the 2015 AFC Championship. Down eight points and facing a 4th and 10 against the league’s best defense, Tom Brady threw up a prayer. With two Denver defenders in hot pursuit, Gronkowski hauled in a 40-yard reception up the seam to give the Patriots a 1st and goal. Three plays later, this time on 4th and goal, Gronk somehow came away with the ball in the back of the endzone, once again with two defenders in his vicinity. The Patriots didn’t win the game, but the combination of these two remarkable efforts is by far my favorite Gronk moment. Pure dominance--double-teamed, everything on the line, and he makes the play both times.
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