Rob Gronkowski jumps into the ring to help ex-NFL friend at WrestleMania 33

Rob Gronkowski may not have been able to compete in Super Bowl LI, but he did get to play a role in the WWE’s version of the big game, WrestleMania 33.

The Patriots tight end was watching ringside in Orlando, Florida during the Andre the Giant Memorial Battle Royal before he became a part of the show, quite literally.

Gronkowski’s friend Mojo Rawley (real name: Dean Jonathan Muhtadi), was among the final competitors in the over-the-top-rope elimination match when Rawley was thrown outside the ring right in front of the Pro Bowl star.

As Rawley was pounded on in front of the crowd, WWE star Jinder Mahal stared down Gronkowski – who was decked out in Rawley’s merchandise – before grabbing his souvenir cup, taking a swig and tossing it back to the NFL star. Gronkowski leapt over the barrier and bypassed security, removing his shirt and taking the fight to Mahal in the squared circle.

Gronk’s actions helped Rawley capture the victory in the match and the two celebrated the victory together.

Before entering WWE, Rawley played college football for Christopher Newport University before transferring to Maryland.

Rawley, a defensive lineman, signed with the Green Bay Packers as an undrafted free agent in 2009 but was waived later that year. Rawley signed with the Arizona Cardinals in 2010 before an injury ended his football career.