Rob Gronkowski made a surprising and bold claim during a recent appearance on Kay Adams’ show, Up and Adams, leaving the host visibly stunned. The former New England Patriots tight end, now a Fox NFL analyst, was discussing a narrative that the Kansas City Chiefs are receiving favorable officiating, particularly in critical game situations.
The conversation started with Adams asking Gronk about recent controversial calls in Chiefs games. In Week 2, Kansas City edged out the Cincinnati Bengals after a pass interference call put them in field goal range, allowing them to secure the win.
The following week, the Chiefs narrowly avoided an upset against the Atlanta Falcons, sparking further frustration over what some felt was a missed defensive penalty.
Adams asked Gronk if he thought the Chiefs were getting more favorable calls compared to when he was playing with the New England Patriots. Gronk’s response caught Adams off guard. “I would say so – I didn’t really get calls,” Gronkowski said. “I was double-teamed and executed off the line of scrimmage half the time, and five yards into the route. Then they would call pass interference on me when I was just trying to get the guy off me.”
Adams looked visibly shocked by Gronk’s claim, but the tight end wasn’t done. He went on to reference a particular moment during his time with the Patriots that led to one of the more infamous incidents in his career. Gronk recalled a 2017 game against the Buffalo Bills when, frustrated by what he perceived as constant uncalled penalties, he delivered a forceful elbow to Bills cornerback Tre’Davious White after an interception.
“It was because he held me four times in one play, and Tom Brady threw an interception to him,” Gronk explained. “I flipped out because it was the 50th time I got held that year. I gave him the People’s Elbow like it was WWE. It was a bang-bang play, I didn’t mean to do that. I was just frustrated because I didn’t get any calls.”
RELATED: Kay Adams Sets the Record Straight on Rumors of Dating Daniel Jones
The frustration Gronkowski experienced throughout his career, particularly as a physically dominant tight end, became a theme in his conversation with Adams. He continued, asserting that the Chiefs receive far more favorable officiating than he ever did with the Patriots. “The Chiefs get way more calls than the Patriots. I don’t remember getting any calls for myself,” Gronk said. “Maybe as a team, I don’t know, but I don’t remember those calls.”
That’s when Adams decided to challenge Gronkowski’s narrative. With a playful but pointed tone, she asked, “The second somebody touched Brady, flags weren’t flying? Really?” Gronk was momentarily taken aback and forced to backtrack on his earlier statements. Laughing, he conceded, “I don’t remember those ones. I’m just talking about myself.”
Gronkowski went on to explain that while Brady might have benefitted from favorable officiating, his own experiences on the field were far different. “Tom might have gotten some calls, but I used to just get pounded from the linebacker to the safety. The guys would jump on my back, and the ball would be thrown to me, and nothing would get called.”
While Gronkowski’s comments were meant to highlight the unique challenges he faced during his career, the exchange with Adams underscored the differing perspectives on officiating, especially when it comes to high-profile players like Tom Brady and teams like the Patriots.
Gronk’s claims added fuel to the ongoing debate about favoritism in NFL officiating, particularly surrounding successful teams like the Chiefs.
Despite the lighthearted nature of the conversation, Gronk’s remarks about his time in New England, the Chiefs, and NFL officiating left viewers with much to ponder about how referees handle dominant players and teams.
