Sunday’s Green Bay Packers-New England Patriots game will not only serve as a homecoming for one goat, but it will also be a special day for another.
As Tom Brady is set to call his first game at Gillette Stadium, Rob Gronkowski will be inducted into the Patriots Hall of Fame during the weekend. Gronkowski arguably became the greatest tight end in NFL history during his nine seasons in New England, winning three Super Bowls, being named a five-time Pro Bowler and setting numerous records at the position.
With Gronkowski setting a new standard for tight end excellence and becoming one of the leading figures in the Patriots’ dynasty, it’s easy to wonder if he’ll even get a statue outside of Gillette Stadium one day, just like Brady. In fact, Brady was asked if Gronkowski will get a statue outside Gillette Stadium sometime down the road on the latest edition of “#AskTom.”
Not only did Brady say yes, but he also gave Patriots fans an idea of how they could build a statue of him this weekend.
“I actually think we should collect beer cans this weekend and the fans will build the statue themselves,” Brady said. “I’m going to go out, get in on the action, and that would be a real testament to the Gronk mentality. It would warm my heart.”
Brady hooking up with a beer can thrown at Gronk to help build a statue would be the latest of several memorable connections they’ve had over the years. The 105 touchdowns (including playoffs) that Brady threw to Gronkowski are the second most of any quarterback-receiver duo in NFL history.
But as Brady and Gronkowski return to their old stomping grounds this week, which five games between them were the best at Gillette Stadium? Here are the top five Brady-to-Gronkowski plays at Gillette Stadium.
5.
Gronk Hauls In Brady’s Perfect Arc Pass For TD vs. Steelers (2015)
When you’ve thrown 105 touchdown passes to a player, you can certainly trust that receiver to come down with a 50/50 ball.
That’s what Brady did with Gronkowski on multiple occasions in his career. A notable example came in the first week of the 2015 season. Lined up in a goal line formation, Brady ran a play fake and threw a ball to Gronkowski in the back of the end zone. Gronkowski used his size to perfectly position himself to catch the ball while somehow keeping his feet inbounds to successfully land the catch.
Gronkowski absolutely dominated the Pittsburgh Steelers in that game as well. He caught five passes for 94 yards — and three of those catches were touchdown catches.
Rob Gronkowski had three touchdowns against the Steelers in the 2015 regular season opener. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)
This was practically an average performance for Gronkowski against the Steelers in his career. He had 41 catches for 685 yards and eight touchdowns in seven career games against Pittsburgh.
4.
Gronk Captures Back Shoulder Fade With One Hand vs. Bills (2017)
Another time Brady trusted Gronkowski to come down with a 50/50 ball, but this reception was a little more difficult. Gronkowski lined up wide and ran a fade down the sideline toward the end zone, with Buffalo Bills safety Micah Hyde running in step with him.
However, Brady was able to put the ball in a spot where Gronkowski could only get it. Gronkowski made a shoulder grab, needing only one hand to pull in for a 17-yard touchdown.
That catch helped lead to a 37-16 victory for the Patriots, with Gronkowski recording five receptions for 67 yards and a touchdown in that game.
3.
Gronk turns routine catch into TD thanks to stiff arm against Bears (2014)
While there were plenty of times when Brady trusted Gronkowski to go down 50/50s, this game against the Chicago Bears was one where the all-time tight end made the magic happen on his own.
Brady threw a low pass to Gronkowski up the middle, picking it off a diving Bears defender. After Gronkowski caught the ball on his ankle, he threw a stiff arm to throw a tackle away from him before dragging another tackle five yards and into the end zone for a 47-yard touchdown.
Gronkowski had nine receptions for 149 yards and three touchdowns in a big 51-23 victory for the Patriots that day.
2.
Gronk Makes Diving TD Grab vs. Broncos in Divisional Round (2011)
Gronkowski delivered a highlight reel to remember in one of his first playoff games. With the Patriots looking to build on their early 7-0 lead, Brady found Gronkowski in the back corner of the end zone, but it wasn’t an easy catch for the tight end. Gronkowski needed to make a diving attempt as he fumbled the ball as he fell to the field.
Gronkowski was able to roll in the catch and did his classic Gronk Spike afterward as the Patriots took a 14-0 lead. It was the first of three touchdowns for Gronkowski in that game, as he recorded 10 catches for 145 yards in a 45-10 victory for the Patriots in the divisional round game.
1.
Gronk Reels In Impossible One-Handed Grab Vs. Broncos (2014)
Somehow, Gronkowski’s catch against the Broncos in 2011 wasn’t the best catch he made against Denver in his career. A few seasons later, Gronkowski showed why he was one of the most dominant players in the history of the sport with his one-handed catch against the Broncos in 2014.
As Brady faked and tried to find an open receiver, he finally called it a steal and decided to throw a pass to Gronkowski, even though there were several Broncos defenders around him. The throw from Brady wasn’t perfect, as the ball went to Gronkowski’s left as he ran to his right. He also had Broncos safety TJ Ward wrapped around him.
However, Gronkowski came down with a 20-yard reception as he grabbed the pass with his left hand. He caught a touchdown pass on the next play as part of a nine-catch, 105-yard day in a 43-21 win over the Broncos that also featured an unforgettable image of Denver triple covering Gronkowski.