• New England Patriots tight Rob Gronkowski took an ugly hit to the head by Jacksonville Jaguars safety Barry Church.
• Gronkowski looked out of sorts as he got up and was taken back to the locker room for tests.

New England Patriots tight end Rob Gronkowski was sent back to the locker room in the second quarter of the AFC Championship after an ugly head-to-head hit with Jacksonville Jaguars safety Barry Church.

Gronkowski was going for a deep catch on the right side of the field when Church came across from the middle, hitting Gronkowski in the head and drawing a penalty for unnecessary roughness.

Gronkowski stayed down on the ground for a bit, with CBS's Tony Romo noting that Gronkowski looked "wobbly" as he got up.

Here's the play:

Gronkowski was walked off the field by Patriots staff and immediately went back to the locker room.

Losing Gronkowski is obviously a tough blow for the Patriots, especially while playing the Jaguars' ferocious defense.

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In May it was announced that Tom Brady would be on the cover of EA Sports' "Madden NFL 18," the latest version of the popular video-game franchise. 

Much like the popular Sports Illustrated-cover curse, the Madden video game has its own eyebrow-raising history: the "Madden Curse."

Ever since athletes began appearing on the cover of Madden in the late '90s, they seem to almost immediately lose significant amounts of playing time because of injuries, run-ins with the law, or other reasons.

Below we document the long history of the "Madden Curse," with some help from NFL.com and DigitalTrends.com.

Early years of the Madden video-game franchise

In the early years of the Madden franchise, players occasionally appeared on the cover with John Madden, typically in the background. However, more often, Madden appeared on the cover by himself.

Madden 99 — Garrison Hearst

EA Sports tried something new for Madden 99 (released in 1998). While John Madden appeared on covers in North America, Garrison Hearst of the San Francisco 49ers appeared on the cover of the PAL version released in other parts of the world. In 1998, Hearst had his best season as a pro, rushing for 1,570 yards. However, on his first carry of the divisional playoff game against the Atlanta Falcons, he severely broke his ankle and he would miss the next two seasons. This is considered the beginning of the curse.

Madden 2000 — Barry Sanders

Barry Sanders is not always considered part of the curse, but we include him here for you to decide. Shortly after it was announced that he would be on the cover (behind John Madden in the background), he announced he was retiring from the NFL and would never play again. 

Rob Gronkowski, in an effort to extend his NFL career, spent this past offseason working on a new training program.

To do that, he turned to two people who know a thing or two about a long NFL career — Tom Brady and his fitness guru, Alex Guerrero.

In addition to resistance bands to strengthen Gronk's core, and deep-tissue massages to help with blood flow, Gronk incorporated elements of Brady's strict diet, according to Karen Guregian of the Boston Herald.

One of the key elements for the famous party boy was an alcohol diet that lets you keep drinking, but with a big catch.

We tried the plan, and it worked. But it was also a lot harder than we ever imagined.

Here's how it works:

Guerrero runs Brady's "TB12 Sports Therapy Center at Patriot Place" and the pair are behind Brady's new book, "The TB12 Method: How to Achieve a Lifetime of Sustained Peak Performance," a book that is being described "the athletes' bible."

READ MORE: Tom Brady's first book is being described as 'The athletes' Bible' and is expected to outline Brady's formula for success

While Gronk incorporated elements of Brady's strict diet, he was not quite to Brady's level. So no avocado ice cream yet.

Source: Boston Herald

One twist to the regimen was that Brady does not drink alcohol, so they had to come up with a plan that would allow Gronk to keep drinking.

• Rob Gronkowski wouldn't commit to his NFL future when asked about rumors of retirement after the Super Bowl.
• Gronkowski said he would take the offseason to consider his future.
• Gronkowski, at 28, has had a long history of injuries from back and knee injuries to concussions.

After the New England Patriots lost to the Philadelphia Eagles in the Super Bowl, Rob Gronkowski wouldn't commit to his NFL future.

In his postgame press conference, a reporter asked about rumors that Gronkowski would consider retirement.

Gronkowski said he wasn't sure where the rumors came from, but said he would take the offseason to examine his future.

"I'm definitely gonna look at my future, for sure," Gronkowski said. "I'm going to sit down the next couple weeks and see where I'm at."

Gronkowski also said he was not ready to fully discuss the rumors, saying again that he would take time to think about it in the offseason and that he would talk about his future with his teammates.

While Gronkowski is only 28 years old, he's had a long history of injuries, from back and knee injuries, to concussions, including one he sustained in the AFC Championship.

Gronkowski signed a new contract over the offseason that allowed him to make up to $10.7 million if he hit certain goals, like making the All-Pro team, which he did this season. In 2015, Gronkowski said he hadn't spent any of his NFL earnings, instead living solely off of endorsements.

If Gronkowski does decide to retire, it would be a major blow for the Patriots.

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• The home of Rob Gronkowski was robbed while he was in Minneapolis for the Super Bowl, according to the police.
• "Multiple safes and possibly guns," may have been among the items stolen.

FOXBOROUGH, Mass. (AP) — Police say the home of New England Patriots tight end Rob Gronkowski was robbed while he was away at the Super Bowl.

Foxborough Police Chief William Baker confirmed Tuesday morning that his department is investigating a burglary at Gronkowski's home.

He said officers responded to the home just after 6 p.m. Monday.

Baker said "out of respect for Mr. Gronkowski's privacy and because this is an active and dynamic criminal investigation we're not going to be releasing any information right now about what was stolen and whether any suspects exist."

But in a recording of call between responding officers and dispatch, a dispatcher says "multiple safes and possibly guns" were taken.

Gronkowski had nine catches for 116 yards and two touchdowns in the Patriots' 41-33 loss to the Philadelphia Eagles on Sunday.

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• Last season, Rob Gronkowski began working with Tom Brady's health guru and trainer, Alex Guerrero.
• According to a report, Bill Belichick at one point ripped Gronkowski in front of teammates for working with Guerrero.
• Guerrero and his work with Brady were reportedly at the center of growing tension on the Patriots last season.
• The report speculated that Belichick might have been trying to dissuade other Patriots players from working with Guerrero.

Rising tensions on the New England Patriots last season may have been fueled by Bill Belichick expressing his displeasure with Rob Gronkowski's new health regimen.

According to Karen Guregian of The Boston Herald, at one point early last season, Belichick chewed out Gronkowski in front of Patriots players for using Tom Brady's health guru, Alex Guerrero, and following the "TB12 Method."

Gronkowski, who has battled injuries throughout his career, made news last season when he switched over to Brady and Guerrero's methods, even following a system for drinking alcohol. Gronkowski's new plan seemed to work, as he played 14 of 16 games.

Guregian reported that Belichick's criticism of Gronkowski might have been an attempt to dissuade other players from leaving the Patriots' medical staff to join Guerrero and Brady.

Last season, it was reported that Guerrero, who is also a business partner of Brady's, was at the center of growing tensions in the Patriots for his work with Brady. Players reportedly felt torn whether to work out with Guerrero at the TB12  in hopes of bonding with Brady or to work out with the Patriots' training staff. Belichick eventually limited Guerrero's access to the team in hopes of gaining more control, according to reports.

While that tension seemed to ease as the Patriots made a run to the Super Bowl, even team owner Robert Kraft — who also was reportedly at odds with Bill Belichick over some roster decisions— acknowledged that the Patriots had to put egos aside to get back on track.

Gronkowski, according to Guergian, is down about five pounds this offseason and still working with Guerrero. With questions over Gronkowski's future in the NFL already rising, news of Belichick's unhappiness with Gronkowski's work with Guerrero seems noteworthy.

As the Patriots prepare for the 2018 season, it seems as though the issue and some of the tension may not disappear entirely.

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• Rob Gronkowski will not join the Patriots for the start of the team's voluntary offseason workouts, and still has not decided whether or not he wants to continue playing. 
• Gronkowski has been considering retirement since at least before the Super Bowl. 
• Tom Brady will also miss the start of workouts as he is on a business trip in Qatar, and he looks unlikely to be joining the team anytime soon. 

As the New England Patriots voluntary offseason workouts begin today, a pair of big names will be absent, including star tight end Rob Gronkowski, according to ESPN NFL insider Adam Schefter.

"Gronkowski still is considering whether to play the upcoming 2018 season and has had 'good communication' with the Patriots," Schefter writes. 

Rumors of Gronkowski retiring have been circulating since before the Super Bowl, where he said in a post-game press conference that he would be contemplating his future in the offseason. 

Gronkowski is one of the best players in the league and has been a vital piece of the Patriots offense for years, so if he did retire it would be a big blow for New England. He is still in his athletic prime at 28 years old but has dealt with many injuries throughout his career. 

Another notable absence from the workouts will be Tom Brady. Schefter writes, "Brady also is not expected to attend the start of the offseason program; he has been on a business trip to Qatar. In other years, Brady has been a regular participant at the team's offseason program, but he will miss at least the beginning this year." 

And it doesn't look like Brady will be joining the Patriots any time soon, per ESPN sports reporter Jeff Darlington.

Guerrero is Brady's controversial 'health guru' has worked with Gronkowski as well, and his relationship with the team's two offensive stars has reportedly been a source of significant tension within the organization, even leading Bill Belichick to criticize Gronkowski in front of other players. 

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• The New England Patriots' offseason has been messier than usual.
• The Patriots saw several of their big-name free agents leave in the offseason and then share some blunt opinions of their time with the team.
• The Patriots are also dealing with uncertainty around Tom Brady and Rob Gronkowski, as both players appear to be weighing their NFL futures and contract status.
• The team seems to be going through a transitional period, which, while not unusual, has occurred quicker than expected.

Almost as soon as the Super Bowl ended, after losing to the Philadelphia Eagles, the New England Patriots' offseason threatened to be more turbulent than ever.

In the immediate aftermath, there were questions about why cornerback Malcolm Butler didn't play, followed by bubbling rumors about Rob Gronkowski's future in the NFL.

Amid all of this was the impending free agency for several prominent players, Tom Brady's future as he turns 41, and the reported ongoing tension on the team between Brady, Bill Belichick, and the team owner Robert Kraft.

In the months since, there haven't been many signs that it's been a smooth, business-as-usual offseason for the Patriots.

The team was ravaged in free agency, as opponents threw big offers at some of their biggest-name players — they lost top offensive lineman Nate Solder, wide receiver Danny Amendola, running back Dion Lewis, Butler, and offensive tackle Cameron Fleming.

The Patriots signed players like defensive end Adrian Clayborn, running back Jeremy Hill, and offensive lineman Matt Tobin to replace some of those players, but the Patriots mostly lost more talent than they acquired.

Perhaps more concerning were some of the comments made by departed Patriots players.

Amendola told ESPN that playing for Belichick was challenging, calling him an "a--h---" at times, but also rewarding.

"It's not easy, that's for sure," Amendola said. "He's an a--h--- sometimes. There were a lot of things I didn't like about playing for him, but I must say, the things I didn't like were all in regards to getting the team better, and I respected him. I didn't like practicing in the snow, I didn't like practicing in the rain, but that was going to make us a better football team, and that was going to make me a better football player."

Solder wrote in The Players' Tribune that the atmosphere could be tense, but, like Amendola, it's part of the reason for their success.

"It can be a tough environment. It's very businesslike, and at times it can be cold. Everything in New England is predicated on performance. It's a place where people sometimes treat you differently based on how you practiced that day or how you answered a question in a meeting. One day, you could walk around the facility feeling like a Pro Bowler — the next, like you're about to get cut."

Amendola and Lewis both said the contract offers they received from the Patriots were not in line with what others offered, and they didn't feel particularly wanted.

Butler said he never received an explanation for why he was benched in the Super Bowl, almost ensuring he would be on a different team next season.

While the Patriots' contract offers would seem to reflect how badly they wanted those players to return, it's also difficult to replace so many key pieces in one offseason, no matter how talented a team may be at scouting and drafting.

Brady and Gronkowski's futures are in the air.

There's even drama with players who are on the roster — for now.

Rob Gronkowski is skipping voluntary team workouts, and while most expect him to play this season, he hasn't committed to his future. Several reports have suggested that Gronkowski may be angling for a bigger contract.

Brady also hasn't committed to playing in 2018, though like Gronkowski, the Patriots reportedly think he will play. 

However, questions about both players' relationship with Bill Belichick continue to surface.

NBC Sports Boston's Tom Curran reported that Brady is leading a revolt against Belichick's style. He elaborated on the "PFT PM" podcast that much of Brady's current lifestyle and attitude runs counter to Belichick's, threatening one of the sport's all-time greatest coach-player duos.

The Boston Herald reported this offseason that Belichick chastised Gronkowski in front of other players last season for using Brady's trainer and business partner Alex Guerrero. Guerrero has reportedly been a source of tension on the Patriots.

If Brady does return this season — again, most expectations are that he will — the Patriots may need to begin considering their long-term relationship with Brady. Gotham Chopra, the director and producer of the "Tom vs. Time" docuseries, told Sports Illustrated's Peter King that he doesn't think Brady will play 4-5 more years, as he had suggested.

In that event, the Patriots may look at drafting a quarterback this season, and they have the draft capital to move up to get a top QB thanks to the Jimmy Garoppolo and Brandin Cooks (another offseason departure) trades. The Patriots could also look to draft a top offensive lineman if they move up, or perhaps they'd rather keep their four picks in the first two rounds to replenish their depth after losing so many key players.

All dynasties come to an end, and it should hardly be surprising given Brady's age, and the length of the Patriots run that the team seems to be experiencing some setbacks. But the murmurs of discontent and roster turnover, so quickly after the Patriots were heavy Super Bowl favorites, are nonetheless eyebrow-raising.

The Patriots could have several more runs in them, and no team in football has been better at adjusting on the fly, but things seem to be changing right before our eyes.

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• Rob Gronkowski recently announced he would return to the New England Patriots this year, ending rumors of his retirement.
• In a video, Gronkowski said he was feeling "super, super pliable" and called it a "game-changer," a comment that could be seen as a shot at coach Bill Belichick.
  
• "Pliability" is at the core of Tom Brady's TB12 training method and work with Alex Guerrero, Brady's trainer who is said to be a source of tension between Belichick and the rest of the team.

Rob Gronkowski recently announced he would return to the New England Patriots this year.

Gronkowski, whose future had been up in the air as rumors swirled about his retirement, recorded a video with the sports news outlet Uninterrupted to announce his decision — and it included an eyebrow-raising quip.

"I feel great. I've been working out hard," Gronkowski said. "And I feel super, super pliable, and it's huge. It's a game-changer."

"Pliability" is at the core of Tom Brady's TB12 training method and his work with his trainer Alex Guerrero.

While that alone is nothing controversial, Brady's work with Guerrero is said to be a contentious presence with the Patriots.

He was reportedly at the center of tension on team last season, and coach Bill Belichick eventually revoked some of his access to the team, saying players felt unsure about whether to work with Brady and Guerrero or Patriots staff.

Additionally, Belichick at one point chastised Gronkowski in front of the team for working with Guerrero, the Boston Herald reported.

The Herald reported last summer that Gronkowski had taken up the TB12 training method and said it made him feel great.

It's fair to wonder whether Gronkowski's quip in the video was a small jab at Belichick. ESPN's Mike Reiss reported that a meeting this week "reopened lines of communication that had been cut off to this point" between the tight end and the head coach.

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• Justify won the Belmont Stakes to become the 13th Triple Crown winner and the second in four years.
• Gronkowski, named after Rob Gronkowski, finished second.

NEW YORK (AP) — Justify led all the way to win the Belmont Stakes by 1¾ lengths on Saturday and become horse racing's 13th Triple Crown champion and second in four years.

The chestnut colt became the second undefeated horse to sweep the Kentucky Derby, Preakness and Belmont, improving to 6-0 in a racing career that began on Feb. 18. Seattle Slew was unbeaten when he won the Triple Crown in 1977.

Sent off as the 4-5 favorite, Justify went to the lead out of the starting gate and led nine rivals around the track's sweeping turns. He's the first Triple Crown winner to face that many rivals in the 1½-mile Belmont.

Bob Baffert became the second trainer to win the Triple Crown twice. He did so with American Pharoah in 2015, ending a 37-year drought.

At 52, Mike Smith is the oldest jockey to win the Triple Crown.

Justify ran the longest race of the series in 2:28.18 and paid $3.60, $3.50 and $2.80.

Baffert had fretted after Justify drew the No. 1 post, a spot he detests for his horses. But Smith turned it into an advantage, gunning Justify to the lead and defying any horse to challenge. Restoring Hope, also trained by Baffert, ran interference for the champion while traveling second and deterring any threats by forcing them to go extremely wide. Nobody did.

Smith got the big colt into a relaxed rhythm under a moderate pace heading into the backstretch, and he had an easy trip from there.

There were mild bids turning for home. Vino Rosso made the most serious move to get within a length but never threatened. Justify pulled away down the 1,097-yard stretch in front of a grandstand packed with screaming fans with only 24-1 shot Gronkowski picking up the chase down the lane.

Gronkowski, named for and partly owned by the New England Patriots tight end Rob Gronkowski, returned $13.80 and $7.

Hofburg paid $3.70 to show.

___

For more Belmont coverage: https://apnews.com/tag/Horseracing

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• Patriots tight end Rob Gronkowski dove into "Shark Week" over the weekend.
• In a segment for SportsCenter's "Hang Time with Sam Alipour," Gronk swam with the sharks at Tiger Beach in the Bahamas.
• "I'm just thinking about the San Jose Sharks," said Gronk, while attempting to cool his nerves before diving in.
• You can read more about the experience here and watch the segment below, with Gronk entering the water at about the 1:50 mark.

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• Rob Gronkowski, tight end for the NFL'sNew England Patriots, earned $10.5 million last season, including a $2.5 million bonus for being named an All-Pro.
• Despite his lucrative earnings, Gronkowski hasn't spent a penny of his contract money from last season — including the six-year $54 million contract he signed in 2012.
• Instead of blowing his pay, Gronkowski has been investing all of his earnings from the patriots — spending only the money he earns from endorsement deals.

Rob Gronkowski, the superstar tight end for the NFL's New England Patriots, earned $10.5 million last season, including a $2.5 million bonus for being named an All-Pro — the fifth time in his career that "Gronk" has achieved the honor.

But Gronkowski hasn't spent a penny of his contract money from last season. In fact, he says he hasn't touched any of his career NFL earnings, including the six-year $54 million contract he signed in 2012.

Gronkowski is perceived as a bit of a lovable knucklehead — he was lampooned as the hulking dimwit "Bonkowski" in a memorable episode of "The Simpsons"— but he is savvy with money and incredibly careful about how he spends it. In his 2015 memoir, It's Good to Be Gronk, Gronkowski revealed that he hadn't "touched one dime of my signing bonus or NFL contract money." Instead, he wrote, "I live off my marketing money and haven't blown it on any big-money expensive cars, expensive jewelry or tattoos and still wear my favorite pair of jeans from high school."

This week, Gronkowski appeared on the Uninterrupted online video series "Kneading Dough" and said that he still lives by the same code — spending only the money he earns from endorsement deals with brands like Dunkin' Donuts, Nike, and BodyArmor sports drink. Instead of blowing his Patriots pay, he says, he's been investing it — and he's happy with the results.

"If you see my NFL money, how much I've made, I've got way more than that baby," said Gronkowski.

In other words, Rob Gronkowski is sitting on a fortune worth tens of millions of dollars, and his wealth is growing all the time. This is particularly exceptional for someone in the NFL, where careers tend to last only a few years — and bankruptcies are notoriously common among retired players.

Gronkowski says he will make some big purchases at some point. "There is one thing" he wants, he says in the video. "It's really, really pricey. It's the private jets."

For now, though, the only way Gronkowski has treated himself was by splurging on a nice necklace, which he bought as a personal reward for hitting all of his contract incentives last season. "I never had jewelry in my life," said Gronkowski. But after borrowing a similar chain from a friend, he relented and purchased one for himself. "It's been eight years; I hadn't really bought anything in my career."

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• The New England Patriots shopped Rob Gronkowski in trades this offseason, according to a report.
• When Gronkowski was informed of a potential deal, he reportedly resisted, saying he only wanted to play with Tom Brady and would rather retire than play for another team.
• Gronkowski and the Patriots later restructured his contract, making it likely he stays in New England for the foreseeable future.

Despite rumors he was contemplating retirement and growing weary of the "Patriot Way," Rob Gronkowski reportedly did not want to play anywhere else when the opportunity arose.

According to NFL Network's Ian Rapoport, during the offseason, the New England Patriots shopped Rob Gronkowski in trades, but when Gronkowski was informed of a possible deal, he resisted.

Rapoport wrote: "When Gronkowski learned of his new reality, he strongly resisted. He informed the Patriots that he would rather step away from football and retire than play for another team, coach or quarterback. He told people close to him that he only wants to catch passes from Tom Brady."

According to Rapoport, any trade likely would have included doing a new contract for Gronkowski, and when he didn't cooperate, the deal fell apart.

Of course, despite weighing retirement, Gronkowski returned to the team, went through training camp and preseason, then re-worked his contract with the team. It's worth wondering how much of the tight end's threats of retirement and how much the Patriots' threats of trading him were negotiating tactics for a new deal.

Rapoport reported that the Patriots consider Gronkowski year-to-year. For now, it appears he won't suit up for another team. After a hauling in seven catches for 123 yards and a touchdown in a win over the Houston Texans in Week 1, the Patriots likely aren't in a hurry to move Gronk.

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• Rob Gronkowski began following Tom Brady's diet and fitness regimen last year.
• Gronkowski said he now eats a 75% plant-based diet and has grown so fond of it; he even eats avocado ice cream now.
• Gronkowski said he thinks being more pliable has changed his career.

Last year, Rob Gronkowski reported to the New England Patriots following the TB12 Method, Tom Brady's diet-and-fitness regimen he developed with his trainer and business partner, Alex Guerrero.

Gronkowski showed up, bragging about being more pliable and eating healthier than ever. One report even indicated that Brady and Guerrero had put the sociable Gronkowski on an alcohol diet — three glasses of water for each alcoholic drink (we tried it; it's not easy).

Now, after playing 14 of 16 games last season and all five games this year, Gronkowski is still a devoted follower of Brady's methods.

"Just learning from him and how to take care of your body is just a great process," Gronkowski said. He spoke with Business Insider to promote his partnership with Honey Nut Cheerios with which he's trying to raise $100,000 for his charity through family participation.

"It's unreal to learn from him," he said.

Brady's diet is famously strict. He follows a mostly plant-based diet but excludes nightshades, which include tomatoes, peppers, and mushrooms. He also doesn't eat many sweets, avoids caffeine, and mostly avoids alcohol. Even some fruits are off his list of acceptable foods.

"I'm not super, super crazy, but I'm pretty crazy about [his diet]," Gronkowski said. "I like to go with mostly plant-based diet. I'd say about 75% and then the other 25%, just keeping it clean but eating whatever. Always making sure I get my fruits and veggies in every day."

Gronkowski added: "I've definitely taken advantage of those opportunities and had plenty of crazy meals I never thought I'd have, never thought I would enjoy ... For example, his avocado ice cream. It's delicious."

Brady and Guerrero's methods have driven a bit of a wedge within the Patriots in recent years. ESPN reported last season that some players felt confused about whether to follow Brady and Guerrero's advice or the Patriots'. Brady also reportedly felt that Bill Belichick's methods were outdated, while Belichick felt he was losing grip on the team.

Still, the results for Brady and Gronkowski are hard to deny. Amid rumors of retirement, Gronkowski announced his return to the team, saying he feels more pliable. He told us he thinks it has changed his career and helped extend it.

"I think it's huge," Gronkowski said. "I think it's helped me tremendously. I think it helps me keep playing football and has extended my career."

You can read more about Gronkowski's partnership with the Honey Nut Cheerios Good Rewards program here.

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• Rob Gronkowski has made $54 million in his NFL career, but he hasn't spent any of it, instead spending only his endorsement money.
• Gronkowski told Business Insider that if he had advice for younger players, it would be to live simply and save as much money as possible for retirement.
• Several other NFL stars — including Marshawn Lynch and Saquon Barkley — have followed models similar to Gronkowski's.

Like many athletes today, Rob Gronkowski, the New England Patriots tight end, has been savvy about taking care of his money and planned for retirement.

Gronkowski hasn't spent any of the money he's made in his NFL career, instead spending only his endorsement earnings. According to Spotrac, Gronkowski has made over $54 million in nine seasons in the NFL.

While speaking with Business Insider to promote his partnership with Honey Nut Cheerios, Gronkowski said he was happy with his methods so far. He added that he would advise players to follow a similar plan, even if it isn't the same as his, and to watch their spending overall.

"I'd just say keep it simple," Gronkowski said. "Keep it easy, and I'd say keep it simple. Get what you need to be comfortable, save the extra.

"Because you don't know how long you're going to be in the league for. It's a short career here in the league. The average is about three to four years, and when it's done, it's done. Be simple, manage it safe, so when it's done you've got a little base, a little foundation to live off."

Other players have followed models similar to Gronkowski's. Marshawn Lynch reportedly didn't touch his NFL earnings either. And Saquon Barkley, the New York Giants rookie running back, said he wasn't going to spend his NFL earnings and would instead live off his endorsements.

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• The Miami Dolphins ran a miraculous hook-and-ladder play in the final seven seconds to pull off a stunning 34-33 win over the New England Patriots.
• Bill Belichick put in Rob Gronkowski to play deep defense, and it backfired, as Gronkowski took the wrong angle to try and stop Kenyan Drake.
• The win kept the Dolphins in the AFC playoff race while the loss prevented the Patriots from clinching the division.

The Miami Dolphins pulled off a miracle, 34-33 win over the New England Patriots on Sunday with a stunning, last-second play.

After the Patriots failed to score a touchdown on a final fourth quarter drive, instead settling for a field goal, the Dolphins got the ball back trailing 33-28 with seven seconds to play.

Ryan Tannehill threw a pass to the 47-yard line to Kenny Stills. Stills then lateral-ed the ball to DeVante Parker, who lateral-ed to Kenyan Drake. The announcers even seemed resigned to the Dolphins losing, when all of the sudden Drake found some running room.

Bill Belichick's Hail Mary defense came back to bite him, as Rob Gronkowski was playing deep to try to break up any deep passes. As Drake found room to run, Gronkowski mis-played the angle and couldn't catch Drake. Drake ran free for the game-winning touchdown.

Incredible!

The loss prevented the Patriots from clinching the AFC East for the tenth straight year and continued a bizarre pattern in which the team has struggled in Miami.

The loss was also a huge one for the Dolphins as it moved them to 7-6 and within striking range of one of the wild card spots in the AFC. 

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• The Miami Dolphins took down the New England Patriots in stunning fashion Sunday afternoon, employing a hook-and-ladder play as the clock ran out to notch the improbable 34-33 win.
• In a widely-criticized decision, Patriots head coach Bill Belichick put tight end Rob Gronkowski out on the field to play deep defense on the final play of the game.
• Dolphins running back Kenyan Drake blew past Gronkowski at the end of his 69-yard game-winning touchdown reception to keep his team's postseason hopes alive.
• Quarterback Ryan Tannehill and wide receiver DeVante Parker felt a surge of hope when they saw Gronkowski on the field during the play.

The Miami Dolphins took down the New England Patriots in stunning fashion Sunday afternoon with a hook-and-ladder play as the clock ran out for an improbable 34-33 win.

With the ball on their 31-yard line and seven seconds left on the clock, the Dolphins' prospects of pulling off the upset looked bleak. Quarterback Ryan Tannehill found wide receiver Kenny Stills at the 47-yard line, and a series of laterals put the ball in star running back Kenyan Drake's hands.

Drake was nearly dragged down at the 45-yard line, but he found a hole and burst into open space so that only one man stood between him and the game-winning touchdown.

That man was Rob Gronkowski.

In a widely criticized decision, Patriots head coach Bill Belichick put the large tight end out on the field to break up any Hail Mary pass attempts on the final play. The 69 yards between Tannehill and the end zone were too many for a deep throw. To make matters worse, Gronkowski is unlikely to stop a running back with space should the situation arise.

When it did arise, Drake blew past Gronkowski and trotted into the end zone to keep his team's postseason hopes alive.

Read more:Dolphins pull off stunning upset over Patriots with last-second hook-and-ladder play

Some of Drake's teammates recognized the mismatch and felt a surge of confidence when they saw Gronkowski as the last line of defense.

"When I see Kenyon [Drake] there I'm like 'pitch it pitch it!' and he pitches it," Tannehill said. "[Drake] came back inside and then I saw him and Gronk about 10 yards away, and I'm like 'Gronk's on the field! We got this!'"

"I'm [already] like 'he's gonna score,'" wide receiver DeVante Parker said. "Then I saw Gronk back there, and I'm like 'there's no way Gronk is tackling him.'"

Former New York Jets and Buffalo Bills head coach and current ESPN analyst Rex Ryan questioned the rationale for Gronkowski's involvement in the final play and called Belichick's decision to put him out on the field a "huge mistake."

Both New England and Miami will face tough opponents on the road next week. The Patriots travel to Pittsburgh to take on the Steelers and the Dolphins head up to Minnesota to face Kirk Cousins and the Vikings. New England will have another chance to clinch a playoff spot this week. Meanwhile, Miami's win over the Patriots puts the team in prime position to vie for an AFC wild-card spot.

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• On the morning of the AFC Championship game, New England Patriots offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels installed eight new plays that the team had not practiced.
• The Patriots ran one of the plays to the surprise of some players who knew it wasn't on the play sheet and that the team had not used before.
• The play was an inside slant pass to Rob Gronkowski on 3rd-and-10 that led to the game-winning touchdown.

One of the New England Patriots greatest traits is their adaptability.

For nearly 20 years, Bill Belichick has morphed his team week to week to exploit weaknesses in opponents. The Patriots' primary identity is that they assume the identity of what their opponents cannot stop.

According to NBC's Peter King, the Patriots once again showed off their flexibility during their win over the Kansas City Chiefs in the AFC Championship.

King reported that on the morning of the game, during their pregame meeting at the team hotel, offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels added eight new plays to the playbook that the team hadn't practiced. According to King, the team sometimes adds new plays on game day, but it's not a weekly occurrence, and not as many as eight at once.

One of those plays became a game-changing moment.

In overtime, on third-and-10, Tom Brady found Rob Gronkowski on an inside slant that set up 1st-and-10 on the Chiefs' 15-yard line. The play itself wasn't spectacular, but according to King, that inside slant was one of the new plays, and it happened because McDaniels and the coaching staff identified a weakness in the Chiefs' coverage of Gronkowski.

According to King, two Patriots players were surprised to hear Brady call that play "because it wasn't on the playsheet, hadn't been practiced all week, and, as one said, 'I don't know when’s the last time we ran it.'"

Here was the play:

The gravity of that play can't be ignored. The Patriots had already converted two 3rd-and-long plays in the overtime drive. Failing to do so on that pass to Gronkowski likely means they would have had to settle for a field goal. If they went for the field goal, it would have meant Patrick Mahomes, and the Chiefs offense retook the field with a chance to win the game.

Read more:The NFL's overtime rules once again prevented the most exciting scenario in a classic title game

While the play itself wasn't spectacular, it proved the Patriots malleability in the biggest moments. Brady told King that the continuity within the Patriots is one of their most significant advantages.

"Great call by Josh," Brady said. "You know, Josh, what he's formulated for us is huge. He puts in endless hours just to find little scheme things for us. Like those plays, we put in this morning. You know, the continuity here has been so important. Dante Scarnecchia, on the offensive line; Ivan Fears, with the running backs; Josh, making it all work."

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• The New England Patriots defeated the Los Angeles Rams, 13-3, in Super Bowl LIII on Sunday.
• After the game, Patriots tight end Rob Gronkowski deflected questions regarding his potential retirement.
• While Gronkowski said it's a decision that would be made "in a week or two," his response made it seem likely he had played his last game in the NFL.

The New England Patriots defeated the Los Angeles Rams, 13-3, in Super Bowl LIII, with Tom Brady and Bill Belichick lifting the Lombardi Trophy for the sixth time in 18 years.

After the game, Patriots tight end Rob Gronkowski was asked about his NFL future. Rumors of his potential retirement had loomed over the lead-up to the Super Bowl, as Gronkowski had considered hanging up his cleats last season before deciding to come back for the 2018 NFL season.

"Tonight it's about celebrating with my teammates, and that decision will be made in a week or two," Gronkowski told reporters after the game. "Tonight, that's what it's about — it's about celebrating with my teammates, and that's what I'm worried about tonight. We're going to have a good time, Bill told me he's partying, so you know it's going to be good."

While Gronk is claiming his decision on next year hasn't been made, what was left unsaid does seem to imply that his retirement is more likely than not.

If Gronk hasn't decided on next year yet, it doesn't make sense that he's scheduled the answer to the question to come in a week or two. If there's a date in mind for an announcement, it means there is an announcement, and if there is an announcement, it means he's likely retiring. Otherwise, why not wait until he is sure about he wants to do.

It's also worth mentioning that Gronkowski has toyed with the idea of a post-football career in Hollywood, and seems rather keen on the idea. He's already had turns in films and movies and even made a brief appearance in the WWE ring at WrestleMania in 2017.

Regardless of Gronkowski's decision, he'll go down as one of the most dominant tight ends in NFL history. If he chooses to retire, he'll exit the league as a reigning champion, with three Super Bowl rings to his name.

And if he surprises the league and does choose to come back for one more season, he's clearly still got something to offer — coming down with six catches for 87 yards in the Super Bowl as he did against the Rams on Sunday is no small feat.

• More Super Bowl LIII coverage:

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• New England Patriots tight end Rob Gronkowski has said he hasn't spent a dime of the six-year, $54 million contract he signed in 2012.
• The four-time All-Pro said he lives off his endorsement earnings.
• Gronkowski has suggested buying a car instead of leasing one, among other things.

Professional athletes make bank.

This week an NFL representative confirmed to INSIDER that Los Angeles Rams players each took home a cool $59,000 for playing in the Super Bowl on Sunday — and they didn't even win.

New England Patriots players each took home $118,000.

Among those winning players is tight end Rob Gronkowski.

But getting paid like a rock star doesn't mean Gronkowski lives like one. He most likely earned an $8 million base salary in 2018 alone, but Gronkowski has said he hasn't spent a penny of his NFL career salary or signing bonuses, choosing instead to live off his endorsement deals.

Gronkowski made the surprising revelations about his spending in his 2015 book, "It's Good to Be Gronk."

"To this day, I still haven't touched one dime of my signing bonus or NFL contract money," he wrote. "I live off my marketing money and haven't blown it on any big-money expensive cars, expensive jewelry or tattoos and still wear my favorite pair of jeans from high school."

You don't have to get paid like a football player to benefit from Gronkowski's methods. Here's what those of us who aren't pro athletes can learn from the money-savvy tight end.

Don't spend your earnings or bonuses all at once

According to CNBC, a big piece of advice Gronkowski shares with his young teammates is to "get what you need to live comfortably, but don't go crazy with splurging until you feel comfortable in the league."

In other words, Gronkowski might tell you that suddenly finding yourself flush with cash — perhaps getting a fat bonus check — doesn't mean a shopping spree is in order. You might be tempted to buy a big-ticket item or pay for a lavish vacation, but blowing all your money at once could be a recipe for disaster.

You never know when you might face a huge financial blow, like divorcing or losing your job — especially if your job could be a risky one. For example, a disproportionately high number of former NFL players end up filing for bankruptcy protection.

Make the most of what you have before buying something new

On an August episode of Uninterrupted's "Kneading Dough," Gronkowski said he didn't spend much money on clothing and shoes.

"If I like the clothing, if I like the shoes, I'll wear those shoes and I'll wear that clothing down to its rags," Gronkowski — who said he spent his childhood inheriting hand-me-downs from his brothers — told host Maverick Carter.

You can try to save some cash in this category by shopping at thrift stores, using coupons, and taking care of your wardrobe to extend its lifespan. You might want to use up or wear down what you have before buying new versions.

Buy a car instead of leasing it

Most financial experts will tell you it's smarter to buy a car than to lease one. That's what Gronkowski advised one of his Patriots teammates do earlier this year. He shared the story on the same episode of "Kneading Dough."

He said his teammate came up to him and said: "Hey, Rob. You got a Hummer. I see it. I want to get a Hummer. But my agent's telling me I shouldn't get a Hummer — you know, it costs too much, it's like 22 grand. What do you think?"

Gronkowski said he told the player, who was spending $400 a week on a rental car at the time, to "hurry up and buy that damn Hummer."

Though leasing a vehicle might save you money in the short term, you'll have nothing to show for it once the lease contract ends. Plus, there's nothing quite like the feeling of making that final monthly loan payment and knowing the car is all yours.

Save for your future

Gronkowski also said in the "Kneading Dough" interview that he still hadn't touched a cent of the six-year, $54 million contract he signed in 2012.

Unlike Gronkowski, you don't need millions of dollars to start saving for or investing in retirement. Investing even small amounts of money can add up over time, thanks to the power of compound interest. The trick is to start while you still have years ahead of you to earn healthy returns on your savings.

Diversify your income sources by trying a side hustle

Gronkowski has said he lives off the money he makes from endorsement deals, which have included brands like BodyArmor SuperDrink and Dunkin' Donuts.

You can take a page from his book and try adding a side hustle like pet-sitting or teaching an online class. There's an option for just about anyone, and it can help supplement your primary income source.

Though you may not be able to live off your side-hustle income like Gronkowski, it could boost your saving and spending power.

Visit INSIDER's homepage for more.

SEE ALSO: Rob Gronkowski has saved all of his $54 million in NFL earnings and has simple advice for young players entering the league

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