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CHARISSA THOMPSON’S ONE-ON-ONE WITH ROB GRONKOWSKI
PART ONE
Thompson: You got so used to your routine in New England. What has it been like for you, Gronk, in this organization when there are so many offensive weapons for Tom to distribute the ball to and you’re not just always the foregone conclusion?
Gronkowski: “We have so many weapons, it’s incredible. I knew what type of situation I was getting into. There’s some games where I can get eight targets and then there’s other games where I can get one target and two targets. You just gotta always be ready. And if you really don’t get that many passes thrown your way, how you can help out the team in any other way…in the blocking game.”
Thompson: Tony Gonzalez always says the ego has no amigo. It doesn’t seem like you can have an ego in this offense.
Gronkowski: “That’s actually a great saying from Tony.”
Thompson: He probably didn’t say it. He probably stole it from someone else, but you know what I mean.
Gronkowski: “I actually agree. He probably took it from his friend, but that is a true saying. You really can’t have an ego here. Ego means no amigo, and I feel like we’re all amigos here. We’re all friends, and we’re all just trying to win games and that’s what it’s all about.”
Thompson: Last season, when you joined us, you spiked the ball. I don’t want to brag, but I caught your spike.
Gronkowski: “Yes. That was actually pretty cool. When we were in the studio I spiked it and then it landed right into your lap and you made the catch, but you want to know what was super special about the spike last week too that no one really noticed? It landed right in the arms of the referee that was 20 yards away. I was just making the job for the referee that much easier.”
Thompson: See this is who you are, Rob. Constantly going around making life easier for everybody else, and that’s why we love you.
Gronkowski: “I’m just a giver. What can I say.”
Thompson: It’s who you are as a person. Hey, since you’re a professional broadcaster, do us a favor. Pretend like we just finished a segment and you’re throwing it to break.
Gronkowski: “Charissa, thanks for having me today and we’ll be back for more FOX NFL KICKOFF!”
Thompson: Boom. Nailed it! Nailed it, everybody!
PART TWO
Thompson: You left us, but for a good reason. Your boy calls you and says ‘Come on down to Tampa Bay!’ How is it going down there?
Gronkowski: “You know it was a tough decision. I was hanging out with Charissa Thompson and Erin Andrews, studying so much football together, and Tom called me and was like ‘Hey! Come to Tampa, Rob.’ I was like, you want me to come out of football when I can just report on your throwing skills? That’s way easier.”
Thompson: Since the weather cooled off in Tampa, your production has increased. Five touchdowns the last eight games. What’s going on with you?
Gronkowski: “Let me tell you this, it was 60 degrees today and I had to put a beanie on. I was cold. We have so many weapons on our team that the ball can be thrown to anyone at any time. And when you do get that opportunity, you got to go out there and make that play.”
Thompson: Making it into the postseason, when you were in New England, was second nature. You’re used to winning. Your quarterback is used to winning. Your coach is used to winning. But not everybody in that locker room is. So what is your message to them?
Gronkowski: “You know, we’ve got to get in a rhythm. A rhythm is crucial. You know, there’s a lot of times in this league that everyone starts looking ahead of everything when you’ve got to really focus on who that opponent is that week. Coach B.A. has been stressing to us that the playoffs started for us last week, because we need a win in order to get into the playoffs. That’s all we can control is week in to week out for the next three weeks. You just gotta keep on grinding.” |
