Rob Gronkowski, set to be inducted into the Patriots Hall of Fame on Saturday, is spiking narratives that he was rallying with the Charlie Kirk-founded Turning Point USA on Election Day in New Hampshire.
Gronkowski was seen waving the American flag outside a Granite State polling place, signing jerseys, and posing for photos — including one with Republican Gov. Kelly Ayotte, who won reelection.
The legendary tight end was spotted alongside his longtime girlfriend, Camille Kostek.
The couple’s brief appearance caught the eye of Tyler Bowyer, chief operating officer of Turning Point USA, who was manning a tent and table for the conservative organization that mobilizes students on high school and college campuses.
“WOW Rob Gronkowski sightings at New Hampshire polling places! TIME TO GO VOTE,” Bowyer stated in a social media post.
Bowyer’s post went viral, eclipsing over 1.5 million views on X and sparking praise from conservatives alongside backlash from liberals.
Gronkowski set the record straight in a statement Thursday morning.
“It has been upsetting and eye-opening to see the narratives around my visit to NH on Election Day with Camille,” the four-time Super Bowl champion said in a statement posted on his Instagram account. “In regard to the images and videos circulating, we are not endorsed by or affiliated with Turning Point USA.”
Gronkowski, now a studio analyst on FOX NFL Sunday, was not the only sports celebrity who appeared in the Granite State on Tuesday. Former Patriots teammate Danny Amendola and boxers Mike Tyson and Floyd Mayweather were also seen across New Hampshire encouraging people to vote.
Gronkowski further explained that he and Kostek greeted fans yelling their names across the street from Goffstown High School, where they were departing before heading to another location.
“We took photos with people across the political spectrum throughout that morning,” Gronkowski said in his statement. “We cannot control what the media has made of it and running with — so we are here to shut down the false narratives.”
“It’s disappointing to see an innocent moment stripped of context and turned into clickbait,” he added. “Our message has always been and always will be to treat everyone with kindness and hope you all will do the same.”
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