Rob Gronkowski was leveled so hard by Seattle Seahawks safety Earl Thomas on Sunday night that he may or may not have suffered a punctured lung, and the hit was extremely rare for today’s NFL in that it did not draw a flag. And Gronk certainly ain’t mad about it.
After the game, Gronkowski called the play a “good, clean hit” and said he has never been hit harder in his career. On Tuesday, Thomas wished the star tight end a quick recovery.
Nothing but respect for Gronk. One of the best I've lined up against. Hoping to see him back on the field sooner than later.
— Earl Thomas (@Earl_Thomas) November 15, 2016
Gronk later replied and commended Thomas for showing the fans a “real football hit.”
The respect is mutual man, you got the best of me on that one. The grind is real, you showed the fans a real football hit. https://t.co/p57PLVQZ3C
— Rob Gronkowski (@RobGronkowski) November 16, 2016
The tackle was brutal, but Thomas managed to avoid making contact with Gronkowski’s head and kept the hit above the knees. It was a textbook play. You can see a video here.
From the sound of it, Gronk won’t miss much time.
