Rob Gronkowski says 'Baby Gronk' is 'awkward. It's too far.'
"Baby Gronk" does not have the approval of the real Gronk.
Rob Gronkowski, speaking with fellow ex-NFL players at Tight End University in Nashville, Tennessee, last week, said that Jake San Miguel is "so annoying" and that the entire situation is "awkward ... it's too far."
San Miguel has led the charge in promoting his son, 10-year-old Madden, as "Baby Gronk." Madden has more than 327,000 followers on Instagram.
It was Gronkowski who actually brought up the prepubescent phenomenon after Will Compton, a linebacker who played for three teams, and ex-Tennessee Titans left tackle Taylor Lewan approached him. (Lewan and Compton co-host the "Bussin' With the Boys" podcast and Gronkowski's comments were aired in a vlog the show published.)
Gronkowski said that roughly six weeks ago he asked one of his brothers about the child.
"He goes, 'Did I see him? His dad's (expletive) hitting me up 500 times already,'" Gronkowski said. "He goes, 'Don't do anything with him.' The dad is so annoying.
"It's to the point where it's awkward. It's too far."
Lewan said Gronkowski was one of the few who could put an end to the hype. After Baby Gronk's popularity peaked with his collaboration with LSU gymnast Olivia Dunne, several influencers and athletes (including Lewan) shared messages from San Miguel seeking similar partnerships.
Last month, The Athletic quoted San Miguel saying his son trains five or six days per week and that he has been "programmed since he was 6 years old."
"He diets, he eats clean foods, salmon and brown rice. He is in a routine. He’s a real athlete," San Miguel told The Athletic. "He’s not a normal kid. Normal kids are emotional. They put their head down when they make mistakes, talk back to the coaches, they make noises, but he doesn’t do that."
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Rob Gronkowski is not a fan of 'Baby Gronk,' says it's 'awkward'
