Remember the time ‘Gronk’ almost wrecked the Philadelphia Eagles night?
Once upon a time, one of the greatest tight ends in NFL history almost wrecked the greatest night in the history of the Philadelphia Eagles single-handedly.
It’s the type of story you take to Hollywood, and they throw it out because it just isn’t realistic enough. The Philadelphia Eagles fight their way to a Super Bowl, and standing in the way of the first Lombardi Trophy in team history is the greatest dynasty in the history of the four major professional sports.
Said dynasty is led by the greatest coach and quarterback in NFL history. To win, it would seem like ‘The Birds’ would have to beat the New England Patriots three times. Leading Philly is the team’s backup quarterback. Their starter, a man that could have won the league’s MVP award, can only watch from the sideline due to injury.
Well, life is truly stranger than fiction sometimes. Every great story has a twist, and in this one, a very game Eagles team would watch a double-digit lead evaporate thanks, in large part, to New England’s one-armed tight end, Rob Gronkowski.
Come on, let’s not be sensitive. You know it felt like he wore that brace forever.
‘Gronk’ was held in check for most of the first half. The Pats made some adjustments at halftime, one of which being the idea to get ‘Gronk’ the ball, and just like that, things turned in New England’s favor. The mighty Patriots would battle back and eventually take a one-point lead, thanks to you know who’s touchdown grab over Ronald Darby.
The Eagles faithful was worried, but their backup quarterback, Nick Foles, would rally them. Philly marched down the field late in the fourth. Zach Ertz would dive into the end zone. Brandon Graham would come up with the greatest strip-sack in team history. Jake Elliott would nail a field goal to put Philly up by eight points with less than two minutes left. The Patriots would screw up on the kick off. Philly would pin them back, but as expected, New England would make one final push.
Somehow, the Pats moved the ball towards midfield, and Tom Brady had time for one last heave to the end zone. The ball was snapped. Brady eluded Graham, launched the ball right before Fletcher Cox could get to him and as the ball traveled towards you know who, Philly fans everywhere were left with one horrifying thought.
The Eagles can still lose this game somehow.
Fortunately there were enough ‘Birds’ in the vicinity to knock the pass down. Brady’s final target of Gronkowski was ruled incomplete, and green and silver confetti fell from the heavens. The Eagles had finally won a Super Bowl.
‘Gronk’ finished with nine receptions for 116 yards and two touchdowns.
So as much of the NFL world celebrates the fact that the evil empire known as the New England Patriots has lost one of their greatest weapons, the football fan in all of us realizes something else. Bill Belchick will replace him. Tom Brady will be back for another year, and the Patriots will march on.
Next. DeSean Jackson poses with Jeffery Lurie and the Lombardi. dark
Ladies and gentlemen, we have all been witnesses to one of the greatest careers a tight end has ever had. Someday, ‘Gronk’ will enter the Pro Football Hall of Fame. When he does, we’ll all remember the way he tortured our favorite football teams. Fortunately, in the case of a game played in February of 2018, it didn’t result in a loss.
No one will ever say it wasn’t because ‘Gronk’ didn’t do his part.