American sports fans in meltdown over Gronk-Brady reunion

An NFL reunion between New England Patriots legends Rob Gronkowski and Tom Brady has been confirmed and American sports fans can't deal.

On Tuesday in the United States, it emerged that former Patriots tight end Gronkowski had come out of retirement and was traded to Brady's new franchise, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

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The Buccaneers reportedly sent a fourth-round pick to the Patriots, who sent back a seventh-rounder with Gronkowski.

ESPN reported that Gronkowski passed his physical with an independent physician in Boston to complete the deal.

Both men have enjoyed almost God-like status in Boston during their playing careers and to say that Patriots fans have taken the news badly is a gross understatement.

Gronkowski texted Fox Sports' Jay Glazer, "I'm back. I always said when I have that feeling and it feels right, I will be ready to take the field again. And I have that feeling. I'm ready."

NFL Network reported Gronkowski, who turns 31 in May, has been putting on weight for a return to football after spending the 2019 season retired.

Distraught New England fans weren't the only ones to comment about the reunion between Gronkowski and Brady.

In fact, social media has been inundated with hilarious memes and fan reaction to the news.

Gronkowski, had one year and $10 million remaining on his contract when he retired, so the Patriots still held his rights.

He has been performing in the WWE recently, including winning the 24/7 title at WrestleMania 36 earlier this month.

Patriots legend previously teased fans about possible comeback

Gronkowski suggested in a video with Andy Cohen published Monday that there was a possibility of teaming up in Tampa Bay with Brady, who signed with the Buccaneers as a free agent in March.

"I'm feeling good right now, I'm happy where I'm at," Gronkowski said of retirement.

"You just never know, man. You never know. I'm not totally done."

Since Gronkowski was apparently unwilling to return to the NFL unless Brady was his quarterback, then whatever the Pats could get for him is a bonus to their post-TB12 roster retooling.

Brady left New England, after 20 seasons and six Super Bowls, for Tampa last month. The fourth-round pick isn’t much, but it essentially fell out of the sky for the Pats.

Meanwhile, Tampa adds a guy who turns 31 next month and when healthy (or even close to healthy) was a game-changing presence.

While he hauled in just three touchdown passes as he hobbled through the 2018 regular season, he caught the critical pass that set up the Super Bowl’s only touchdown.

Along the way, he provided extra offensive lineman-level run blocking, one of his strengths.

After more than a year out of the game, where he has slimmed down, avoided nearly all contact and spent his time making promotional appearances and hosting Wrestlemania (where he won a sort-of championship belt) Gronk should be good.

Tampa Bay was already reportedly shopping tight end O.J. Howard, so that should free up any logjam at the position.

The Bucs would still have solid veteran Cameron Brate, who has averaged 42 receptions and six touchdowns a year over the past four seasons. That means Gronk wouldn’t have to carry the full load.

Mostly this will give Brady arguably his all-time favourite target; the two combined for a record 78 touchdowns across nine seasons together. It will also further cement Brady’s ability to establish his preferred culture in the Tampa locker room despite what will be a coronavirus-impacted offseason (and potential season).

with Yahoo Sports US