Rob Gronkowski Says Tom Brady Used To Be Mean To Him
New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady is not considered the easiest person to get along with, especially on the field.
A first one out, last one out competitor over the course of his near 20-year run with the Patriots, Brady’s on-field rage to those that do not learn the offense’s extensively detailed playbook makes no exceptions. You’ve seen him scream at players when they mess up their routes (Aaron Dobson received a lifetime supply of grief from Brady during his time in New England), and Brady has had his share of screaming matches with offensive coordinators both past and present in Bill O’Brien and Josh McDaniels.
Again, nobody is safe when No. 12 sees red.
Not even an all-world talent like Patriots tight end Rob Gronkowski, apparently.
“I’ve seen the same fire in [Brady] since I’ve been here,” Gronkowski offered after Wednesday’s training camp session at Gillette Stadium. “I would say probably back in the day he was a little more on you if you didn’t get it right, a little bit more in your face but I mean, he’s going on 41 now, I don’t see the – I feel like he backed off on that a little bit, which is nice.
“He used to be mean to me and I’m glad he’s not to these young guys anymore.”
Asked how Brady was mean to him, Gronkowski felt no need to provide a specific example. “He just was,” Gronk said.
Well within the nicer confines of Brady’s circle of trust these days — and with Brady expected to be more than nice to No. 87 given his importance this year — Gronkowski still can’t help but marvel at what Brady is able to do at this age.
“He’s hands-down just remarkable, it’s amazing,” Gronkowski offered. “At age 41, I mean, there’s coaches younger than us – younger than him on the roster. He looks younger than the coaches, he looks younger than everyone. The way he’s moving, how just reliable he is at all times is just unbelievable and something to look up to.”
Even if he’s mean to you along the way.
