New England Patriots Report

Gronkowski brushes off botched spike

September, 9, 2012

9/09/12

6:08

PM ET

By Mike Rodak | ESPNBoston.com

NASHVILLE -- Last season, Patriots tight ends Rob Gronkowski and Aaron Hernandez were able to execute well enough to combine for 25 touchdowns, earning both players long-term contract extensions this summer.

[+] Enlarge
Rob Gronkowski

Frederick Breedon/Getty ImagesRob Gronkowski couldn't complete the spike after his TD.

On Sunday, both players continued where they left off, with each making a touchdown grab in New England's 34-13 win over the Titans. But when it came to their signature touchdown celebrations, both players were lacking in execution.

After his 2-yard touchdown grab late in the second quarter, Gronkowski cocked back to spike his pigskin prize, but as if he were a rookie at spiking footballs, the ball slipped right out of his hand.

"It slipped out," Gronkowski said with a smile. "I wasn't going to go grab it. I played it off pretty well."

Meanwhile, his teammate Hernandez opted for a polite bow -- perhaps as a sign of respect for released receiver Deion Branch -- in favor of his usual "making it rain" celebration.

"It wasn't good enough to make it rain," Hernandez shrugged.

Mike Rodak

Patriots reporter, ESPNBoston.com

Mike Rodak began covering the Patriots for ESPNBoston.com in July 2010.

You must be signed in to post a comment

You are fully responsible for the content you post. Content that includes profanity, personal attacks or antisocial behavior (such as "spamming" or "trolling"), or other inappropriate content or material will be removed. We reserve the right to block any user who violates our terms of use, including removing all content posted by that user.

ABOUT THIS BLOG

Mike Reiss

Mike Reiss first started covering the Patriots in 1997 with the team's official newspaper, Patriots Football Weekly, before moving on to the MetroWest Daily News in his hometown of Framingham. From 2005 to 2009, he covered the Patriots for The Boston Globe, while also writing on the NFL. He started his popular Patriots blog in 2004. Send any questions or comments for Mike to his mailbag. Follow him on Twitter (@MikeReiss).

Mike Rodak

Mike Rodak began covering the Patriots for ESPNBoston.com in July 2010. A native of Grafton, Mass., Mike attended Providence College. Follow him on Twitter (@mikerodak)

Field Yates

Field Yates begins his contributions to ESPNBoston.com in 2012 after having written for a number of football-related sites around the web. Field began his professional career after college with the Kansas City Chiefs, working in both the scouting and coaching departments of the franchise before redirecting his focus to a career in media. He also interned for four summers in the coaching and scouting departments with the Patriots. Follow him on Twitter (@FieldYates).