Rob Gronkowski jumps out of plane to kick off Week 10, spikes football upon landing

Rob Gronkowski jumped out of an airplane on live TV to kick off FOX NFL Sunday in honor of Veteran’s Day and had the perfect finish to the safe landing. The former Patriots star pulled out his classic “Gronk spike” after diving down with his tandem dive companion. Unfortunately, Gronkowski couldn’t pull off a landing directly on set of the show.

It seems the former tight end was the only member of the NFL crew on FOX willing to do the big jump. The rest of the crew — Curt Menefee, Howie Long, Terry Bradshaw, Michael Strahan, Jimmy Johnson and Jay Glazer — remained grounded at the United States Air Force Academy in Colorado.

Gronk just jumped out of a plane to kick off FOX NFL Sundaypic.twitter.com/9DgAAlGa6L

— Front Office Sports (@FOS) November 12, 2023

Gronkowski making an estimated 11,000-foot jump out of an airplane was one of several surprises on the two-hour broadcast, which began at 11 a.m. ET on FOX. There was also an exclusive conversation with San Antonio Spurs head coach Gregg Popovich. The 74-year-old attended the United States Air Force Academy from 1966-70. Additionally, there was a C-130 Hercules flyover from the 302^nd Airlift Wing during the national anthem sung by the Academy Cadet Chorale.

Gronkowski considering Olympic Flag Football

Gronk just may, in fact, have one more football game left in him. There’s just one catch, and a crucial one at that: He doesn’t want to have to take hits.

The 34-year-old former tight end, who retired from the NFL after the 2021 season, recently told TMZ he wants to play flag football in the Olympics.

“Hopefully there’s no tryouts and they just accept me,” Gronkowski said. “But I’m in. I’m going for that if there is flag football in the Olympics in 2028.”

The International Olympic Committee (IOC) is adding flag football, as well as five other sports to the program for the 2028 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles. The other sports added are baseball, softball, lacrosse, cricket and squash.

By the time the 2028 Summer Olympics roll around, Gronkowski will be 39 years old. He certainly passes the criteria based on his 11-year NFL career. Between his time with the New England Patriots and Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Gronkowski hauled in 621 receptions for 9,286 yards and 92 touchdowns.

Perhaps he and Miami Dolphins receiver Tyreek Hill, who expressed interest in playing, could team together, creating one of the most lethal duos flag football has most certainly ever seen.

“Calling all @NFL guys let’s bring one home,” Hill wrote on X.