Rob Gronkowski names Tom Brady from Bucs [Watch]

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Retired tight end Rob Gronkowski said he would take a call from quarterback Tom Brady, but not for a reunion with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

Gronkowski recently changed gears and called Brady for a Bucs video instead. It launched a new Bucs show starring Brady, “Armchair QB,” in place of Gronkowski and Brady’s previous show, “Tommy and Gronky,” which ran for the past two seasons. The episodes were filled with banter between the longtime teammates.

Such banter continued when Brady, who was answering fans’ questions about “Armchair QB,” reacted with surprise when Gronkowski called. Gronkowski retired from the Bucs on June 21 after 11 seasons in the NFL, saying even Brady couldn’t persuade him to come back if the superstar quarterback called. Brady persuaded Gronkowski from retirement to join the Bucs ahead of the 2020 season.

Watch the full first episode of Armchair QB here.

Brady: “That’s my challenge to you, Gronk”

“Since I stopped playing foosball I haven’t had a chance to hang out with the boys in the locker room and now I have to send in these video questions to see if Tommy will answer me. ‘ said Gronkowski.

“I’ve been thinking about getting a tattoo to remind us of all our great times over the years, so my question to Tom is, ‘What should I get and where should I put it?'” he asks Gronkowski. “If he answers me at all. Any suggestions?”

Brady and Gronkowski played 11 seasons together between the Bucs and New England Patriots, winning four Super Bowls together. Once used to giving Gronkowski onfield directions, Brady attempted to give Gronkowski offfield directions after hearing the call and giving a big hint inviting him back to Tampa Bay.

“Great question, Gronky. You want a tattoo? Do you know what I think you need Gronk? You know what you need? You need a soaring phoenix right on your back, à la Boston’s own Ben Affleck,” Brady said. “The Rising Phoenix is ​​about overcoming adversity, rising from the ashes and reclaiming your glory. I hope that at some point you really want to do all this.”

“I’m not sure if you do, but if there’s one thing that would inspire you. Don’t think about your teammates. Don’t think about this amazing facility, the free food you would get, the free loot and gear we get,” Brady added. “Think of the return to fame and what that soaring phoenix on your big back could do for you. This is my challenge to you, Gronk.”

“If that’s what you’re looking for, I’ve given you some great advice,” Brady concluded.

Brady is honest about Gronkowski’s resignation

Jokes aside, Brady spoke candidly about Gronkowski’s retirement during the “Let’s go!‘ podcast earlier this week. Brady has not played a full season with Gronkowski since 2009.

“You miss someone who was one of the greats, which means you can’t replace that,” Brady told host Jim Gray. “And we all love him but we miss him and he just chooses not to play. So he’s retired, so we had to move on and try to resolve some things without him.”