In a stunning and unexpected revelation, NFL legend Rob Gronkowski has opened up about the bizarre behind-the-scenes behavior of his former New England Patriots teammate, the late Aaron Hernandez. During a candid interview on the “Bussin’ With The Boys” podcast, Gronkowski made a jaw-dropping claim: Hernandez used to masturbate during team meetings — and Gronk says he “didn’t mind at all.”
“I love crazy sh*t,” Gronkowski said with a laugh. “I didn’t mind things like that. I was like, that was pretty epic. I was a wild man myself. Nothing fazed me. I encouraged it.”
The remark immediately sent shockwaves through the sports world, with social media exploding over the raw honesty and disturbing imagery described by the former tight end. While Gronkowski is known for his larger-than-life personality and carefree nature, this revelation veered into previously uncharted territory, offering a rare and troubling look inside the locker room culture of one of the NFL’s most successful dynasties.
A Complicated Legacy
Aaron Hernandez, who played as a tight end alongside Gronk in the early 2010s, had an NFL career that spiraled into infamy. He was convicted of murder in 2015 and took his own life in prison in 2017. His time in the league has since been the subject of multiple documentaries and investigations, all trying to piece together the complex layers of his troubled life
Gronkowski’s comments shine new light — and raise new questions — about how Hernandez’s behavior was perceived within the team before his off-field crimes came to light. While some fans found Gronk’s story humorous or “vintage Gronk,” others have criticized it for being inappropriate and potentially glorifying or trivializing deeply concerning behavior.
Patriots Yet to Comment
As of now, the New England Patriots organization has not responded publicly to Gronkowski’s claims. It’s unclear whether coaches or team officials were ever aware of the alleged conduct during meetings.
Locker Room Culture Under Scrutiny
This revelation once again brings into focus the culture inside NFL locker rooms and meeting spaces — where inappropriate behavior may be ignored, tolerated, or even laughed off if a player is talented enough. Gronkowski’s easygoing response may reflect a larger issue of enabling problematic conduct for the sake of team chemistry or on-field performance.