TAMPA, FLORIDA - FEBRUARY 07: Rob Gronkowski #87 and Tom Brady #12 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers celebrate after defeating the Kansas City Chiefs in Super Bowl LV at Raymond James Stadium on February 07, 2021 in Tampa, Florida. The Buccaneers defeated the Chiefs 31-9. (Photo by Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images)
There’s being a good teammate, and then there’s refusing to leave a game until your tight end earns his $1 million bonus.
Tom Brady is the latter.
Heading into the Tampa Bay Buccaneers’ Week 18 game against the Carolina Panthers (5-12), Rob Gronkowski needed seven catches and 85 yards to earn $500,000 for each stat. The tight end notched the yardage incentive on a long pass in the third quarter but was one catch away from the other milestone with about seven minutes left in regulation.
At the time, the Bucs (13-4) were leading by 14 points and the game was out of reach—usually a time to bring in the backups and let the starters get some rest. However, Brady could be seen on the sideline saying he wouldn’t come out until “Gronk” caught the pass; once he tallied the reception, Brady exited the game.
Subscribe to our free weekly newsletter!
A week of sports news in your in-box.
We find the sports news you need to know, so you don't have to.
Gronkowski finished with 137 yards on seven catches—and the million dollars.
Tampa rolled to a 41-17 victory and will now host the Philadelphia Eagles (9-8) on Wild Card Weekend.
Trent Taylor's seven-year NFL career has come to a close. The former San Francisco 49ers…
Norway coach Ståle Solbakken has defended his decision to pull star striker Erling Haaland during…
Former Spanish Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy has ignited a political firestorm days before Spain's World…
The Michigan Wolverines finished the 2025 season with a 9-4 record. Highlights of the season…
Conor McGregor's five-year road back to the Octagon lasted barely more than a minute. The…
Former Miami Heat teammates Bam Adebayo and Tyler Herro got into a physical altercation Friday…