Rob Gronkowski throws shade at Chiefs for being "way more" favored by referees

NFL: SEP 15 Bengals at Chiefs - Source: Getty
Patrick Mahomes during NFL: SEP 15 Bengals at Chiefs - Source: Getty

Kay Adams asked former NFL tight end Rob Gronkowski on Up & Adams on Wednesday if he thinks the Kansas City Chiefs are getting more favorable penalty calls than the New England Patriots during their 20-year dynasty (2000s and 2010s).

Gronkowski said:

"I would say so, I didn't really get calls. I was double-teamed, I was basically executed off of the line of scrimmage half the time and five yards into the route. And then they would call pass interference on me when I was trying to get the guy off of me.
"Remember when I hit Tre'Davious White? Because he held me four times in one play and then Tom threw an interception to him, and then I finally flipped out because it was the 50th time I had been held that year, so I gave him a people's elbow, just like it was WWE."

He concluded:

"Yeah, the Chiefs get way more calls than the Patriots. I don't even remember getting calls. Specifically for myself, I didn't get any calls, maybe as a team, I don't know ... Tom might have gotten some calls, but for myself, I used to get pounded, guys used to jump on my back and nothing would be called."

Notable penalty incidents of the Kansas City Chiefs

Baltimore Ravens v Kansas City Chiefs - Source: Getty
Baltimore Ravens v Kansas City Chiefs - Source: Getty

After the Kansas City Chiefs defeated the Cincinnati Bengals in Week 2, a stat of Patrick Mahomes having the most interceptions called back since 2018 went viral.

Mahomes has 17 interceptions since 2018 that have been called back to penalties, which leads all passers.

Kansas City also has 15 games since the 2022 season with less penalties than their opponents. James Nagle highlighted an alleged questionable call against the Bengals for a pass interference call.

While a lot of penalties that the Chiefs have received over the last few years have been questioned by many, Gronk's take on the matter reflects the sentiment.

Do you think the Chiefs are getting favorable calls?

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Edited by Nicolaas Ackermann