The New England Patriots decided to hand out Rob Gronkowski’s number 87 to Romeo Doubs, and the former Pats tight end responded to what some are calling a controversy.
The Truth About The Number
Rob Gronkowski made it crystal clear on Up & Adams that he had zero say in the matter. He told the hosts, “I’m not the one who makes the decisions over there… I wasn’t consulted at all,” per Boston.com. The team simply gave the jersey to Doubs. No phone call. No text message. Just a new player wearing the iconic number on the field. Gronkowski didn’t throw a fit, though. He said, “But, I mean, I’m cool with it,”.
Only One Number Matters
While Doubs wears 87, Gronkowski has a very specific view on which numbers truly belong in the rafters. He believes only Tom Brady’s No. 12 deserves that permanent spot. “That’s the only number that I truly believe,” Gronkowski added, per Boston.com. He argues that if a player does not stay for twenty years, they should not get their number retired. This standard leaves out greats like Mike Haynes and Steve Nelson, who are Pro Football Hall of Famers. The Patriots have only retired eight numbers, and Brady is the only one retired during Robert Kraft’s ownership.
The Double Standard
Kay Adams called out Gronkowski for being too nice about the situation. She told him it was his “worst take” because Doubs caught zero yards in the season opener against Seattle. Adams argued, “It is a failure by the organization that I know and love,” according to Boston.com. On Nov. 7, Gronkowski will enter the Patriots Hall of Fame. Last year, he executed a one-day contract to officially retire as a Patriot.
I don’t know; to me, and I love Gronkowski, if anybody’s number gets retired besides Brady, it’s guys like Tedy Bruschi. Of course, Bruschi said he did not want his number retired.
“I wouldn’t mind seeing another linebacker wear 54, and see him perform well,” Bruschi said.
“I know there are a lot of Patriot numbers that are retired, but I think it would be nice to see all the numbers unretired. In football, you have a lot of players and there aren’t a lot of numbers to use, so I think unretiring the numbers and adding some nostalgia to the stadium with a Ring of Honor — with names and numbers and years they played — would be something great.”
Maybe the mindset is a generational thing, or maybe the media is just trying to drum up some drama.
