GRONK WADES INTO POLITICS
Pats star lightens D.C. mood on a grim day
America’s Commander in Chief met with New England’s Comedian in Chief at the White House yesterday.
But before that historic summit, a very dapper New England Patriots tight end Rob Gronkowski poked his head into the room hosting Sean Spicer’s daily briefing.
President Trump’s press secretary had just taken a question on the Iran nuclear deal.
Before Spicer could fully respond, Gronkowski asked: “Need some help?” The press gaggle giggled. Spicer glanced toward Gronkowski over his right shoulder and replied, “I think I got this, but thank you.” Gronkowski confirmed Spicer — a Patriots fan — was OK and exited stage right to more collective laughter.
“Thanks man, I’ll see you in a minute,” Spicer said. “All right, that was cool.”
This comic act came less than 10 hours after former Patriots tight end Aaron Hernandez was found dead in his jail cell. If Gronkowski was experiencing any distress, he wasn’t showing it.
But where did Gronkowski go after he left the press room?
Did he slip into the Oval Office to make prank calls to Moscow? Was he made privy to the plans for the next Korean War? Did he advise we aim 69 missiles at Pyongyang? Perhaps the nation’s security was at risk, since a security alert was issued later in the day after the Patriots were honored.
Gronkowski is ideally equipped to make anyone smile in such a serious and somber setting.
The day began with somber news. Let’s be clear, there was nothing sad about what happened to Hernandez. Yes, Hernandez had a young daughter. So did Tamerlan Tsarnaev. The only thing “sad” was that in suicide, the cowardly Hernandez is likely to become legally free from his murder conviction of Odin Lloyd because the case was under appeal.
An avalanche of theories, speculation and flatout crazy conspiracies polluted Boston’s airwaves throughout the day concerning Hernandez — some transforming him into a victim, martyr or hero who killed himself to save his family.
Meanwhile, the 2017 Gronk Express happily chugged along in Washington.
If the Patriots have a Trump problem, Gronkowski is blissfully oblivious. Several notable current and former players did not attend the ceremony. At least two, Devin McCourty and Alan Branch, cited antipathy toward Trump.
Those alleged fans who allegedly stopped following the Patriots because Robert Kraft, Bill Belichick and Tom Brady have been pals with Trump for years continue to not exist.
That remains the fakest Fake News this side of “A Bitter End.” If the Patriots keep winning Super Bowls, the immeasurable majority of fans will continue not to care who Tom Brady votes for.
Brady was a noshow at the White House for the Patriots’ second straight postSuper Bowl visit. Brady either: 1. Opted to avoid any fallout from the visit.
2. Stayed with his ailing mom in Boston.
3. Wanted to be with his parents on their anniversary.
4. Was ordered to stay away by Gisele. 5. Or all of the above. Trump followed Brady’s lead by not mentioning the quarterback once during his remarks. SAD!!! With Brady’s absence and Trump’s silence, the potential for political fireworks fizzled. Gronk’s foray into the press room was the day’s highlight.
Trump praised Nate Ebner, Belichick assumed his rightful place behind the presidential lectern, and Julian Edelman sported the look of a national hero awaiting his medal for that catch against the Falcons.
Belichick did not say: “America will take no days off in doing its job to become great again.” But he could have. And Gronkowski would lead the laugh track.