'Miami Miracle': Ravens' RB Throws Hoodie Shade at Patriots

On his first day as a member of the Baltimore Ravens, Kenyan Drake donned a hoodie sure to irritate fans of the New England Patriots and Rob Gronkowski.

The hoodie has become a holy garment in the New England area since Bill Belichick "arrived" in 2000. But newly-minted Baltimore Ravens receiver Kenyan Drake is more than happy to deconsecrate the outfit.

Drake reported for work as a Raven (having signed with their practice squad this week) with a hoodie that will irk fans of both the New England Patriots and their legendary tight end Rob Gronkowski. And maybe as well as anyone who ever dreaded geometry class.

The running back's sweatshirt bears the message "Gronkowski ... didn't have the ..." above a depiction of an acute angle. His garb drew praise from new teammate Marlon Humphrey, whose Instagram story featured a positive review to the tune of several fire emojis.

Though not referenced directly, it doesn't take much football knowledge to realize that Drake is referring to his role in the "Miami Miracle," one of the most renowned events from the Patriots' long-standing divisional rivalry with the Miami Dolphins. With Miami trailing 33-28 in the game's final seven seconds, Drake pulled off the miracle by running 52 yards for a touchdown after grabbing laterals from Kenny Stills and (current Patriot) DeVante Parker. 

The final stanzas of the play saw Drake outrun Gronkowski on the last 20 yards to the end zone. In a much-criticized Belichick gambit, Gronkowski was in the game in relief of safety Devin McCourty for the purpose of preventing any desperation heaves from Miami. The wording on Drake's hoodie comes directly from Ian Eagle's call of the play for CBS Sports.

Jasen Vinlove / USA TODAY Sports

Alas for Drake and the Dolphins, New England wound up with the last laugh: though the Patriots dropped another game in Pittsburgh in the following week, New England took home its 10th consecutive AFC East title by disposing of Buffalo and the New York Jets in the final weeks. The Patriots then took down the Los Angeles Chargers and Kansas City Chiefs en route to Super Bowl LIII, which hosted their sixth and most recent Vince Lombardi Trophy hoist after a 13-3 win over the Los Angeles Rams. 

In contrast, Miami dropped each of its final three games after Drake's miracle, which led to the firing of then-head coach Adam Gase. Drake was traded to Arizona just before the midway mark of the following season before ensuing tenures in Las Vegas, Baltimore, and Indianapolis. He now returns to the Ravens, who recently lost primary rusher J.K. Dobbins to an early season-ending injury.

New England does not face Baltimore at any points this season but instead will continue divisional play against the New York Jets on Sunday afternoon (1 p.m. ET, CBS).