When I was a kid, my dad came home with this album (yes, it was an album) from Bobby McFerrin. The hit song off that LP was “Don’t Worry Be Happy.” Maybe, thanks to the internet and streaming services, that tune is making a comeback with this new generation, like say Rob Gronkowski.
The Pats all-pro tight end took to Instagram Wednesday to wish former teammate Danny Amendola well as he reportedly moves on to South Beach and the Miami Dolphins. Some of it was vintage Gronk:
“stay lit…”
That fits Gronk to a tee. But it was what came after that once again could be read as a sign that life in Foxboro has been even more difficult than it usually is under Bill Belichick.
“Be FREE,” Gronk writes, “Be HAPPY.”
The caps lock don’t appear to be an accident and continue a recurring theme that has shown itself this offseason. You have Tom Brady’s wife, Gisele Bundchen, saying that her husband just wants to work where he’s appreciated and have fun. That also aligns with what our our Tom E. Curran has been reporting about Gronkowski, that he felt “persecuted” this season and didn’t have a good time in 2017 working for the Pats.
Brady chimed in on Gronk’s post, replaying, “Well said gronk!!!!”
New England Patriots
Amendola is reportedly getting over $8 million in guaranteed money, which far exceeds the last three seasons of earnings in New England. Meanwhile, Gronk is on the books for in excess of $9 million for the 2018-19 season but we remain unsure that he is in fact returning. The tight end made noise about retiring and while he is working out per usual, his agent Drew Rosenhaus has refused to reveal any details about Gronk’s plans.