Rob Gronkowski, the four-time All-Pro tight end and future Hall of Famer, has offered a hilariously nostalgic opinion about the evolving image of NFL coaches.
On the latest episode of the Dudes on Dudes podcast with Julian Edelman, Gronkowski argued that something essential to football’s character is disappearing: overweight coaches.
In a conversation that was as tongue-in-cheek as it was unconventional, Gronkowski lamented the trend of coaches getting in shape and looking more like their players than the old-school sideline generals fans remember.
“You want to know what’s a disappointment here is that these coaches are starting to get in shape now, man,” Gronkowski said. “They’re looking like they’ve been working out with the players, throwing some routes, going for jogs.”
The 34-year-old NFL legend, who retired after the 2021 season and is eligible for the Hall of Fame in 2027, wasn’t done. He continued to paint a picture of a classic coach, fondly remembering the larger-than-life, often larger-in-size figures who roamed the sidelines.
“We need coaches to get fat again,” he added. “Remember when we wanted [Danny Amendola] to get fat when he was coaching with the Las Vegas Raiders? That’s a true, typical coach – when they’re fat and overweight. That means you’re the best out there.”
Gronk blames Ozempic and ‘modern fitness’ for changing the coaching look
While the statement might sound like a jab, it’s classic Gronkowski humor – a mix of nostalgia and comedy with just enough social commentary to get people talking. Still, he did offer a reason for the apparent fitness trend among modern coaches, joking that a certain trendy medication may be to blame.
“I think the problem is, is that Ozempic came out. It should be on the PED list for these coaches. We need them fat again. It makes football better,” he said.
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