New England Patriots tight end Rob Gronkowski was apologetic for driving his shoulder into the back of Buffalo Bills’ Tre’Davious White’s head as the rookie cornerback lay face down on the turf after intercepting quarterback Tom Brady on Sunday.
The play occurred with only five minutes remaining in the game, after which White was removed and put into the concussion protocol.
‘First of all, I definitely want to apologize to No. 27,’ Gronkowski said, referring to White, after the Patriots’ 23-3 win in Buffalo on Sunday. ‘I’m not in the business of that, I mean, it was a lot of frustration and I was just really frustrated at that moment.’
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Patriots right end Rob Gronkowski flattened Buffalo Bills’ Tre’Davious White after the rookie cornerback picked off Tom Brady in the fourth quarter. Afterwards Gronkowski apologized
Rob Gronkowski (No. 87) of the New England Patriots talks with back judge Dino Paganelli (No. 105) after being penalized for a late hit during the fourth quarter of Sunday’s win in Buffalo
White left the game after the hit and may have suffered a concussion
In his post-game press conference, Patriots coach Bill Belichick said he was unsure what exactly transpired.
‘Yeah, I didn’t really see what happened on the whole play,’ Belichick said. ‘There was quite a bit of stuff going on in that play. It was something that the officials handled today and it’s not really anything we have any control over.’
However, earlier Belichick was captured by WROC-TV apologizing to Bills coach Sean McDermott and calling the hit ‘bulls***’ immediately following the game.
Gronkowski, who was penalized but not ejected, claimed to be ‘frustrated’ by a perceived penalty on White.
‘It just happened naturally through emotions and frustration,’ Gronkowski said of the hit, which can be seen at NFL.com. ‘Just want to apologize to Tre’Davious White. I don’t really believe in type of shots like that but, just due to frustration process and the game of football, emotions, that’s what happened.’
Bills safety Micah Hyde was livid, calling it a dirty play.
‘That’s just dirty football. There’s nowhere in our game for that,’ Hyde said. ‘I don’t know if it was a shoulder, elbow, I’m not sure what it was. That was dirty.’
According to Gronkowski, White should have been flagged on the play.
‘I mean, I felt like he kind of pushed me a little bit and made the play and I just don’t understand why there wasn’t a flag,’ he said. ‘It was a couple times in the game, and they’re calling me for the craziest stuff ever…and it’s crazy, like, what am I supposed to do? And then they don’t call that. It was just frustration, and that’s what happened.’
Meanwhile, Bills players were surprised Gronkowski wasn’t ejected, a sentiment shared by Dean Blandino , the NFL’s former officiating director, who now is Fox TV analyst.
‘In my opinion that was a play where Gronkowski should have been ejected from the game, and I wouldn’t be surprised if it’s a substantial fine and maybe even a suspension going forward,’ Blandino said following the game.
Buffalo Bills strong safety Micah Hyde (23) argues with Gronkowski (87) during the second half on Sunday. Hyde called the Patriots tight end’s hit on White ‘dirty’ after the game
WGR Sports Radio 550’s Paul Hamilton, who works in Buffalo, thought Gronkowski should have been tossed for the late hit. He was penalized on the play, but could incur a fine or suspension
According to Shaun King, of the New York Daily News, Gronkowski’s hit was ‘absolutely gross’
New England Patriots tight end Rob Gronkowski, left, makes a catch as Buffalo Bills cornerback Tre’Davious White (27) defends during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 3, 2017, in Orchard Park, N.Y. Bills head coach Sean McDermott, right, looks on during the play
New England Patriots head coach Bill Belichick, right, walks with offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels at the end of the first half of Sunday’s game against the Buffalo Bills
The hit sparked a shoving match between Hyde and Patriots receiver Danny Amendola. Bills defensive end Jerry Hughes was so upset he was flagged for making contact with an official. Gronkowski, Hyde and Amendola were penalized for unnecessary roughness.
‘Obviously, it didn’t hurt the team there, but it definitely can in the future,’ Gronkowski said. ‘And you definitely got to keep your cool.’
0Bills rookie cornerback Tre’Davious White after a November 26 game. He was placed in the concussion protocol after receiving a late hit from Gronkowski during Sunday’s game
It wasn’t lost on Hyde that the two division rivals will meet at New England in three weeks.
‘I’m sure you guys will talk about it,’ Hyde said to reporters. ‘Obviously, this is something we’re going to be thinking about.’
The New York Daily News’s Shaun King described the hit as ‘absolutely gross’ and reminded viewers that concussions are a ‘traumatic brain injury.’
According to NFL.com’s Ian Rapoport, it’s uncertain if Gronkowski’s hit will merely draw a fine or a suspension as well.
‘As they always do, officials are reviewing the late hit by TE Rob on CB Tre’Davious White for likely discipline,’ Rapoport tweeted. ‘What’s not known is whether that could result in a suspension.’
The Patriots weren’t just fighting the Bills on Sunday. They were also fighting each other.
Late in the first quarter after the Patriots finished a 14-play drive that ended with a 50-yard field goal by Gostkowski, CBS cameras caught Brady and offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels in a heated discussion on the sideline.
At one point Brady pulled off his helmet and appeared to curse at McDaniel, who turned away from his quarterback and toward the football field.
‘It’s just football,’ Brady said. ‘We’ve been around each other a lot. I love Josh.’
Tom Brady walks off the field after Sunday’s win in Buffalo