The sight of Rob Gronkowski flailing about on the dance floor just hours after defeat in Super Bowl XLVI was enough to pull a small storm of critics out of the woodwork.
Rodney Harrison, speaking of the franchise he used to star for, told ESPN Chicago Radio 1000 on Wednesday that New England's tight end "probably would have got his head rung" on Patriots teams of old.
After former NBA player Jalen Rose saw the clips of Gronk waving his gangly arms all over the dance floor and toying around with women toting glowsticks, he told ESPN Radio's "Mike and Mike in the Morning" on Thursday: "Forgive this term, because I didn't make it up: He was having a good time. He was white-boy wasted."
Within seconds of Rose dribbling these words into the ether -- the suits behind the scenes likely melting into a puddle -- an on-air apology was hustled into existence.
"You guys got me in trouble," Rose said before the show wrapped, per ProFootballTalk.com. "Earlier in today's show, we were talking about the Patriots' postgame party and I made some comments that other people -- some people -- took as insensitive remarks, so for those that took it that way, I definitely apologize. Pretty sure I always say things that upset people, get under people's skin. I guess today was no different. So I'm sorry for the pushback."
Not exactly a heartfelt apology. Were Rose operating a ham radio out of his home, you get the sense he'd just keep on talking -- not backtracking.
Two final items on Gronk: (1) There's little indication he could (or, possibly, should) care less what Rose -- or anyone -- has to say on this matter. (2) That ankle of his? All better now.
