SI

Rob Gronkowski Compares Chemistry With Tom Brady to ‘Butter and Maple Syrup’

In Thursday’s Hot Clicks: Gronk’s puzzling pancake analogy, new uniforms for two Dallas teams and more.

Dan Gartland

Huh?

Rob Gronkowski is one of the more perplexing interview subjects in sports. Somehow, his interactions with reporters are compelling and entertaining despite the fact that he rarely says anything all that interesting. You get the sense that, despite all the media training he’s surely done, what you’re seeing is the same Gronk you’d see hanging out with his buddies, making 69 jokes and speaking extremely broken Spanish. He’s a goofball, and that comes through. 

Gronk was at it again on Wednesday when discussing his connection with Tom Brady. 

After a slow start to the season, Gronkowski had touchdowns in his last two games, both on back-shoulder fades. 

Content is unavailable

Gronk was asked about his ability to connect with Brady on that play after 10 years working together. His response was ... puzzling. 

Content is unavailable

“It’s like a saying my mom used to say: It must be maple syrup because butter don’t drizzle like that,” Gronkowski said. “You don’t got much time to react and syrup drizzles. You gotta make that play. A stick of butter, it’s a block. You gotta put it in the microwave to melt it. That just takes too long. You gotta make that play right away, baby, and that’s why I’m like the maple syrup. That’s why she always used to say that, because I’m quick with it. I just drizzle all over the place.”

I think maybe he’s saying that he’s able to make that play because he doesn’t take long to think about it. Or maybe he just had pancakes on the mind. 

The best of SI

With travel restrictions between the U.S. and Canada complicating the Raptors’ season, Kansas City is making a push to host the team. ... What is the NBA offseason going to look like for the Knicks? ... When should the NBA season start?

Around the sports world

A daily fantasy player lost out on nearly $1 million after a stat correction. ... Seton Hall coach Kevin Willard is skeptical college basketball teams will be able to complete a full season. ... Bo Jackson says he would average between 350 and 400 yards per game if he played today. ... The Sixers are expected to hire former Rockets GM Daryl Morey to run their basketball operations.

Not what you want

Content is unavailable

The NBA has a lot to figure out

Content is unavailable
Content is unavailable

This is my kind of tape breakdown

Dunlap finally got his wish

New Mavs alternate uniforms? 

Content is unavailable

The Stars are going to direct traffic in these

DJ Chark’s admission of having “no swag” when he met his wife is very endearing

The offensive lines in that division are just traffic cones

Not sports

A U.S. car company claims to have set a new record with a car hitting 331 mph, but internet sleuths are casting doubt on it. ... A 104-year-old woman in Denmark incapable of spending long periods of time in a car instead took a helicopter to visit family. 

Are you trying to sell this house to Prince?

I swear I see some nightmarish British meal like this once a week

Very cool

A good song

Email dan.gartland@si.com with any feedback or follow me on Twitter for approximately one half-decent baseball joke per week. Bookmark this page to see previous editions of Hot Clicks and find the newest edition every day. By popular request I’ve made a Spotify playlist of the music featured here. Visit our Extra Mustard page throughout each day for more offbeat sports stories.

Published
Dan Gartland
DAN GARTLAND

Dan Gartland is the writer and editor of Sports Illustrated’s flagship daily newsletter, SI:AM, covering everything an educated sports fan needs to know. He joined the SI staff in 2014, having previously been published on Deadspin and Slate. Gartland, a graduate of Fordham University, is a former Sports Jeopardy! champion (Season 1, Episode 5).

Home/Extra Mustard