The pain, both from injuries and a crushing Super Bowl loss, has not broken Rob Gronkowski’s spirit.
The Patriots tight end — assuming he comes back for another season, which is in doubt — allegedly popped into a Nashville, Tenn., bar that was hosting a CBS reporter’s bachelor party Saturday, St. Patrick’s Day, dressed as a leprechaun.
CBS Sports’ John Breech posted a picture of a green, buckled hat-wearing man with sunglasses and a bushy orange beard that greatly resembles Gronkowski. It made for an unusual, 6-foot-6, 265-pound leprechaun at Germantown Depot.
According to Breech, Gronkowski, a longtime fan of the number between 68 and 70, said he could be playing for the “69ers” next season. He also told a Patriots fan he was not retiring — yet when informed media was present, he said he was not sure about his status for next year.
The Gronk-in-the-wild sighting follows a reportedly chaotic season in New England, with ESPN.com shining a spotlight on the power struggle between Tom Brady and Bill Belichick. After the Patriots lost Super Bowl LII, 41-33, to the Eagles, the 28-year-old Gronkowski would not commit to returning next season. It was remarkable he even played in the game, as he had been cleared from concussion protocol just the prior Thursday.
