Rob Gronkowski sends powerful message to Michael Mayer

The comparisons between then-Notre Dame tight end Michael Mayer and eventual Hall-of-Famer Rob Gronkowski might’ve been a bit rich. But the new Las Vegas Raiders tight end received some words of encouragement from the all-time tight end.

In a video shared by Fanatics with NFL veterans or retired players sending messages to rookies, Gronkowski offered some praise to Mayer. And it might seem small, but it’s a pretty big compliment coming from Gronkowski

“I’ve been watching you since your college days,” Gronkowski said to the rookie tight end.

Here's a pre-season pep talk from the Rookie Premiere that these @NFL rookies will never forget #FanaticsLockerRoom

Good luck to all the rookies! pic.twitter.com/zZEeInX85I

— Fanatics (@Fanatics) June 8, 2023

Mayer, of course, starred at Notre Dame for three years and became the pinnacle of the Irish passing attack. In three seasons at Notre Dame, Mayer appeared in 36 games. He hauled in 180 passes for 2099 yards and 18 touchdowns during his career in South Bend.

And his talents and achievements were enough to make him a second-round selection by the Raiders — and many projected him as a first-round pick.

Mayer wasn’t the only player getting a welcome to the league message from a star, current or retired.

Dallas Cowboys rookie running back Deuce Vaughn got a message from Barry Sanders, a personal inspiration to him.

“This dude right there is the reason I play this game,” Vaughn said in the video. “He’s the reason I work so hard. This is huge.”

Former Tennessee quarterback and Detroit Lions rookie Hendon Hooker heard from Peyton Manning, Aaron Rodgers spoke to former Alabama quarterback and No. 1 overall pick Bryce Young and his former teammate, Houston Texans EDGE Will Anderson, got to hear from legendary linebacker Ray Lewis.

Along with those messages, Tom Brady was in on the action, addressing a pair of rookie quarterbacks: Tennessee Titans quarterback Will Levis and Indianapolis Colts quarterback Anthony Richardson.

Mayer and Gronkowski have more in common than being hulking tight ends, too. Gronkowski played the bulk of his NFL career with the New England Patriots and offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels. McDaniels is the current Raiders head coach and will now have Mayer as a new tight end to toy around with in his offense.

He might not be as impossible to defend as Gronkowski at his prime, but Mayer has a vote of confidence from the man himself, one of the best tight ends in NFL history.

Now all that’s left is to go out on the field and make it all count for himself and the Raiders.