Rob Gronkowski, a former tight end for the New England Patriots, shared a heartfelt story about his late teammate Ryan Mallett. During the 2011 AFC Divisional Round playoff game against the Denver Broncos, Mallett challenged Gronkowski to score three touchdowns and do a 3-point shot celebration after each one.
Gronkowski rose to the challenge and scored three touchdowns in the first half, just as Mallett had predicted. After his third touchdown, he did the 3-point shot celebration as instructed by Mallett. The Patriots ended up winning the game with a final score of 45-10.
Mallett was drafted by the Patriots in the third round of the 2011 NFL draft and spent three seasons with the team before being traded to the Houston Texans in 2014. He later played for the Texans and the Baltimore Ravens before tragically drowning while swimming in Destin in June of 2023 at the age of 35. Despite their different paths in life, Gronkowski and Mallett’s bond on and off the field was undeniable, showcasing the camaraderie that exists between teammates in professional sports.
