Tom Brady and Rob Gronkowski have been nearly Las Vegas Raiders?
Yep, that’s what UFC president Dana White mentioned Saturday evening on “UFC 278 with the Gronks” in an interview with Gronkowski, who, after all, ended up becoming a member of Brady in Tampa Bay and successful a Tremendous Bowl with the Buccaneers in 2021.
Gronkowski launched the topic on the present, saying White gave Brady a recruiting pitch when he was a free agent after which requested the UFC’s head honcho “what went unsuitable” and why Brady didn’t signal with Vegas.
White appeared reticent to inform the story: “Do I actually inform this story proper now, Rob?” White requested. “Would you like me to inform this story?”
Gronkowski mentioned sure, and added that he “may have been in Vegas” with White for the final three years.
“You’ll have been,” White mentioned emphatically, and Gronkowski agreed with that evaluation.
White mentioned there was one one that blew up the deal — Jon Gruden.
“I labored to place that deal collectively for Brady and Gronk to return to the Raiders,” mentioned White, who will not be linked with the Raiders in any official capability. “It was nearly a achieved deal. On the final minute, Gruden blew the deal up and mentioned that he didn’t need them.
“All hell broke free, man. It was loopy,” White mentioned. “Brady was already homes, and it wasn’t being mentioned but that Gronk was coming. So Las Vegas would have had Brady and Gronk the 12 months the Bucs gained the Tremendous Bowl, besides Gruden blew the deal up. There’s a lot story that goes together with this behind the scenes. … I used to be by no means going to inform that story till Gronk simply mentioned it.”
Gronkowski backed up White’s account, saying that’s “precisely what occurred.”
Gruden — who resigned from the Raiders final October after it was revealed he used homophobic and misogynistic language in a collection of emails over the course of seven years — and then-general supervisor Mike Mayock have been answerable for all personnel choices on the time.
Las Vegas fired Mayock in January after three rocky seasons with the staff, which compiled a 25-24 report and one playoff look. The Raiders at the moment are coached by Josh McDaniels, the Patriots’ longtime offensive coordinator, and their new GM is Dave Ziegler, who additionally was in New England’s group.
After White instructed the story, Gronkowski mentioned he was joyful how issues turned out.
“I’m glad it didn’t undergo,” Gronkowski mentioned on the present. “All of it labored out for the most effective, man. I’m glad we went to Tampa, man. It simply labored out. I really like that place.”
The seven-time Tremendous Bowl champion Brady, now in his third season with Tampa Bay, ended up signing with the Buccaneers in 2020 after 20 years and 6 Tremendous Bowl runs with coach Invoice Belichick the Patriots. Brady has been on an organization-approved leave from the Buccaneers attending to an undisclosed private matter.
Gronkowski, who had retired for one season, reunited with Brady and gained his fourth Tremendous Bowl, all with the surefire Corridor of Fame signal-caller. The tight finish introduced his retirement for the second time in June.
