Ex-NFL Exec Offers Baffling Theory About Supposed Rob Gronkowski Double Standard

Former NFL executive Andrew Brandt has a theory about Rob Gronkowski that is so puzzling, that it will make people think it was actually meant to be published as an April Fools’ Day joke.

The former vice president of the Green Bay Packers now works as a weekly column writer for Sports Illustrated. In his texts, he offers his supposed expertise about the “business of football”.  This week, however, he decided to share his opinion about the recently retired Gronkowski.

Essentially, Brandt thinks Gronkowski got a pass other players didn’t for his off-field antics, and that also might have contributed to Gronkowski’s lingering injuries throughout his NFL career.

“‘Gronk being Gronk’ became an easy catchphrase and rationalization about behavior that (1) was certainly not admirable and (2) would not create the same response for other players,” Brandt wrote.

He added:

“I ask you to pick another player, any player; I will not pick one for you, as that would skew this experiment. Now imagine that player shown slamming beers, partying regularly with bikini-clad women and generally promoting a hard-party lifestyle. Would we say it’s just ‘him being him’ and let him have his fun? I doubt it.”

According to Brandt, Gronkowski broke no laws or even rules by what he did off the field before taking a huge leap of logic. He asked his readers to “consider this: It is a fair question to ask whether Gronk would have been injured less and had a more productive career had he partied less?”

It’s one thing to wondering whether Gronkowski got a pass where others were taken to task, but Gronk sure deserved that pass as he always performed on the field. Also, the ‘writer’ failed to provide any examples of his supposed double standard and what he said can even be considered disrespectful.

Gronk’s injuries didn’t stem from booze cruises or bikini-clad women, though. He was hurt so often because of the style he played, not afraid to go across the middle and embracing run-blocking in a way few pass-catchers are willing to do. He was so hard to take down that opposing defenders felt they had to go low to take him out.

And another thing to consider: there are far more stories about the Patriots being ticked off about Gronkowski’s workouts than his partying. They were more upset about what he was doing in the weight room than in the club or the yacht or wherever else Gronkowski relaxed in the offseason.

To say otherwise is kind of silly and definitely unfair.