To NFL players saying Cam couldn't get away with being like Gronk, you miss the point
To Gronk or not to Gronk? That is the question.
Stories of this weekend's Gronk-fest aboard a cruise ship have flooded the Internet as New England Patriots tight end Rob Gronkowski and hundreds of his loyal Gronkians set sail for the Bahamas and "Gronk Island." It was a dream come true for the Patriots' tight end (no really, he said so himself).
The Boston Globe even had a behind-the-scenes, all-access pass to the, umm, whatever it was they were doing -- which, as with all things Gronk, everyone always seemingly shrugs at his apparently harmless act of (ahem) excess binge drinking and herky-jerky twerking.
One side effect of yet even more public Gronkstock shenanigans: A swell of anti-Gronk sentiment among a few NFL players, who openly wondered on Twitter why the white All-Pro can be Teflon to criticism off the field, when black Carolina Panthers QB Cam Newton often gets heat for a little Dab on the field every now and then.
But if Cam had a cruise ship.......nvm https://t.co/OJfafUDvyF
— Charles James II (@CJDeuce_) February 22, 2016
@CJDeuce_ or OBJ lol
— Prince Amukamara (@PrinceAmukamara) February 22, 2016
Ultimately when it comes down to the cruise-ship festivities, check the footage first and judge for yourself (or, if too racy for you, then try the Claymation version).
The topic came up on Tuesday's episode of "The Herd", with host Colin Cowherd and guest Jason Whitlock debating whether a double-standard exists and if race colors reaction to Gronk. Whitlock, who is well known for discussing racial questions inside the world of sports, was quick to refute the racism angle when it comes to Gronkowski's popularity despite his dance fever away from football.
Cowherd agreed, saying "I don't know why we keep going back to a race issue" and comparing the Gronk party persona to that of Rodman or Madonna.
Ultimately, Cowherd may have nailed the real reason why Gronk's behavior -- aside from never getting in legal trouble off the field or seeing his play negatively affected by the partying -- is a non-issue for most fans, and even Bill Belichick.
To hear the full discussion, watch the video below.
