Rob Gronkowski says Earl Thomas got the best of him, showed fans a 'real football hit'
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}FOXBOROUGH, MA - NOVEMBER 13: New England Patriots tight end Rob Gronkowski takes a big hit from Seattle Seahawks player Earl Thomas during second quarter action. The New England Patriots host the Seattle Seahawks at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, Mass., on Nov. 13, 2016. (Photo by Jim Davis/The Boston Globe via Getty Images)
Rob Gronkowski is one of the NFL's biggest and most physically imposing players, standing at 6-foot-6, 265 pounds. It typically takes two or three tacklers to bring him down in the open field, unless you're Earl Thomas.
During Sunday's game, Thomas delivered a huge blow to Gronk, which the big tight end called one of the hardest he's ever taken. The hit forced Gronkowski to miss a couple of plays, and he apparently suffered a chest injury which reports called a possible punctured lung.
Thomas sent out a heartfelt tweet on Tuesday hoping for a fast recovery from Gronk. It was certainly a classy gesture by the All-Pro. Gronkowski responded to the tweet with a note of his own, saying Thomas "showed the fans a real football hit."
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}Game respect game. These guys are two of the classiest in the NFL, and it showed in their pair of tweets.