Gronk is Gronk, whether he is in Foxboro or London.
Rob Gronkowski, the Patriots' playful tight end, stole the show at the NFL Fan Rally in London's Trafalgar Square Saturday afternoon when, at the urging of the about 20,000 fans in attendance, he spiked the microphone.
He did it hard, too, just like he does with the football after scoring a touchdown, which drew huge roars of approval from the crowd.
The Patriots had been entertaining enough as it was. They were on a large stage set up at one end of one of the most famous gathering areas in the world. Outside the gates, people were holding all kinds of signs, including some on the American presidential race and others on political activities in England.
Inside, it was just fun with food and drink available, with many wearing NFL jerseys _ Patriots jerseys were far and away the most numerous _ and with announcers on stage introducing the Patriots.
``I see a lot of Patriots jerseys out there,'' Tom Brady noted. ``I hope it will be the same tomorrow (when the Pats meet St. Louis at Wembley Stadium).''
Wes Welker, Brandon Lloyd and several other Patriots spoke about how they were happy to get to take part. Even coach Bill Belichick, wearing his trademark Patriots' hoodie, was in a good mood.
``It's always great to be in London. I love London,'' Belichick said to the roars of the crowd.
It was left for Gronk to steal the show.
The big tight end was pleasant but totally under control when he began. Robert Kraft, the Pats' owner who later said that he felt the time is close for London to have its own NFL team, noted how Gronkowski changed.
``He actually seemed very calm while speaking,'' Kraft said. ``so I asked Bill if he fed him something, a calming influence. But Gronk showed his true colors.''
With the crowd screaming, ``Spike the mic, spike the mic, spike the mic,'' Gronkowski did what he was asked, with a massive throw down of the micophone onto the stage floor.
The crowd, and his teammates, loved it.
Hometown team - SO many memories of RFK - Joe Gibbs.
