To say that Rob Gronkowski is a dominant player is an understatement. Widely regarded as one of the best tight ends ever in the NFL, his exploits with the most decorated QB, Tom Brady, are exemplary. There are multiple reasons for Gronk’s success. His size, speed, and his skill level all contributed to his rise. But according to former Indianapolis Colts’ kicker and 2 time Pro Bowler Pat McAfee, this single play might just have been the key to Gronkowski’s legendary status.

On an episode of ‘The Pat McAfee Show’ aired in 2020, McAfee is discussing Rob Gronkowski’s career with Bucs QB coach Clyde Christensen. During the show, McAfee says, “They came out on that NFL all-time team, that Tom Brady, whenever he was named to the team, he came in, he spoke obviously with Rich Eisen and Belichick…. he said that there was a formation or something that the Colts always used to run, and it actually created Gronk’s career.”

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“Basically, I guess a guard would pull, so everybody thought it was a run. Instead, he would stay in the backfield, though. And then a tight end would just leak right up… Basically, Gronk’s entire career was prefaced off of this thing that he learned from Peyton.” Christensen backed up McAfee’s theory, adding that the play in question was named ‘Nice Rate, 610, Jose’.

Rob Gronkowski and Tom Brady are the ultimate duo on the gridiron

Rob Gronkowski spent 9 years with the New England Patriots, and a further 2 with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. In New England, he had 3 Super Bowl wins, and another one with the Bucs. He’s a 5 time Pro Bowler, and a four-time All-Pro first team.

Gronkowski is also the founder of the ‘Gronk Nation Youth Foundation’, which mainly involves itself in raising funds for charitable causes, or grants for educational institutes, all with a focus on health and sports.

Gronk came out of his first retirement at the behest of Tom Brady and went on to win another Super Bowl that year. With Brady and the Bucs struggling, will Gronk make another impromptu return to help his friend out of a sticky situation?

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