Posted on 09/13/2023 12:41:22 PM PDT by Red Badger
Rob Gronkowski may be retired from the NFL, but he and his Frenchie pup Ralphie were the MVPs of Congress as it returned from summer recess this week. The former Patriots and Buccaneers tight end even fueled some speculation that he’d seek to join the esteemed body down the road.
Gronkowski took the Hill with bipartisan acclaim, bringing his talents to the nation’s capital to push Congress to #squashsuperbugs, like Valley fever. Gronk took up this new cause shortly after adopting Ralphie (and also shortly after he won his fourth Super Bowl).
Gronk came to Capitol Hill the day after the NFL’s first week concluded — and his presence after his New England Patriots fell just short against the Philadelphia Eagles had many wishing that he’d come out of retirement for at least one more season.
“We could have used him on Sunday,” Representative Jim McGovern said.
I asked Gronk what advice he’d give to New England’s current crop of tight ends. “Be a beast, be a fucking beast,” he suggested to Hunter Henry, Mike Gesicki and Pharaoh Brown — the Patriots’ tight end trio.
Yet in the biggest news of the day, Gronk told me that he may very well run for office — although which one remains up in the air. He now identifies as a Florida man, and when I asked if he’d consider a run for office, he told me his answer is “not a no.”
While Gronk may go the federal or state route (or both!), he had no shortage of fans from both parties hanging on his every word. Democrats such as McGovern and Republicans such as Claudia Tenney, who represents the district right next to Gronk’s native Buffalo, David Schweikert, who represents the state Gronk chose for college (Arizona), and Lori Chavez DeRemer, who could be a future Patriots fan, all had glowing things to say about the star.
Tenney, well-known in DC for her love of animals, had a particularly great time playing with Ralphie, who tore a White Claw chew toy to shreds, leaving utter devastation in his wake. Like father, like son!
Gronk Ping!...................
Gronk—We love you her in New England. But please, just be the big goofy party guy. I dont want you elected to anything but Party King.
Gronk is adorable! 🥰
He’s just an amazing athlete and person.
Just an old-fashioned American throwback guy.
Shut up n sing.
Or in this case, shut up n play.
Entertainers are just that. Entertainment…the clown division of the entertainment/industrial complex.
People who work at a carnival are more honest and sincere than celebrities who think I care about their take on the Commerce Clause etc.
I love Stranglehold, but I don’t want Uncle Ted talking about liberals at a concert. In turn, I don’t want Ted Cruz or Trump or Clinton playing guitar or drums or saxophone.
You’re bored, Gronk? Join a charity. Start a business (Roger Staubach did well in commercial real estate). Do color analysis - Tony Romo is a great North Star for retired sports stars.
You could do a zillion things…please stay out of politics.
Can’t picture him running as a republican. He would no longer be adored. Celebrities need to be worshipped and Rino Arnold is proof.
We’ve certainly have had proof of that lately.
But then you never know. He’s a happy fella. The rats are always miserable. He may want to ride the top of the wave if we’re on the ascension.
I remember a time in the 60’s that someone mentioned “John Unitas for secretary of the Air Force and Dick Butkus for Secretary of Defense.
Yet I bet you whine about the lack of good people in government tying to uphold our republic.
He can do what he wants.
Gronk is retired from football. He has as much right to run for office as you or I.
Gronk has not spent a cent from his football earnings. He has banked every penny. He lives off of his endorsements and investments.
Gronk calls Florida home. No income tax. That is savvy.
Did I mention Gronk is adorable? ;o)
Aaron Rodgers may be joining him.
For the record, I’m not proposing a law banning entertainers from public office.
But seriously.
Gronk was a tight end. He caught footballs for a living. Pretty good at it from what I remember.
His chief skill was reading and outrunning and/or outmaneuvering coverage. With some blocking from time to time.
Again, he was pretty good at that.
He also had to memorize a zillion plays and remember where the Xs and Os were supposed to go. That requires SOME skill, though judging by the quantum of Mensa members in the NFL, it’s not THAT tough. Parenthetically, all the strategy was from the coaching staff.
And now, because he can do all that, we are supposed to believe he can legislate effectively?
Gronk reminds me of JFKs daughter, Caroline. Everyone thought she would make a WONDERFUL senator to replace Hillary. Why? Because of her maiden name. The left slobbered all over her, and centrists were intrigued.
Then, um, she ah, ya know, opened like her mouth.
Until he tells me how he’ll defend life, support Bill of Rights esp the first two Amendments, repeal taxes, and explain why he’s not concerned about Dementia Joe having The Football, I’d sooner vote for half of the people on this Board than Gronk.
“Did I mention Gronk is adorable?”
Yeah, a couple of times.
But did you know that Gronk has had 18 concussions, that he can remember, stretching back to his high school days?
That many concussions isn’t good for your long term health. Who knows, Gronk could be drooling into his oatmeal in a couple of years.
He could join Fetterman in the For Real Brain Dead caucus.
Doodle-please understand there’s something to be said for celebrity. It’s the familiarity factor. Herschel was too much too soon. I remember Lynn Swann going up against experienced Ed Rendell-sad. Gronk could start out looking at a winnable house seat and then challenging for the senate after 2 terms. Which state I don’t know.
Valley Fever is an endemic fungus living in the soil of the Desert Southwest, you ain’t gonna cure it. And everybody who lives in the area will get it, usually unnoticed.
Acknowledged. Indeed, Reagan was a celebrity first.
But just as celebrity isn’t a disqualified, it’s a weak credential.
Makes him a lot more qualified than all the lawyers in office who only legislate weak bills full of holes they can use for personal gain.
You think AOC and the squad are qualified?
Adam Shitforbrains? Nancy Graft Pelosi? Mitt Romney? Linda Grahmnesty?
Ok
I totally get that. I think some are thinking that he could replace the Indian in Massachusetts which would alleviate any concern of not ready. He’d make a great improvement even if only for a vote In the senate and nothing more.
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