During the 2011 AFC Divisional Round playoff game against the Denver Broncos, former New England Patriots tight end Rob Gronkowski shared a unique story about his late teammate, Ryan Mallett. According to Gronkowski, Mallett had challenged him to score three touchdowns and celebrate the third one with a 3-point gesture after spiking the ball.
Gronkowski had already scored two touchdowns in the first half of the game when Mallett approached him on the sideline and confidently told him he was going to score a third touchdown. Following Mallett’s advice, Gronkowski completed the hat trick and celebrated with the suggested 3-point motion, as the Patriots went on to win the game 45-10.
Mallett was drafted by the Patriots in 2011 and spent three seasons with the team before being traded to the Houston Texans in 2014. He later played for the Baltimore Ravens before tragically drowning in Destin in June 2023 at the age of 35. The bond between Gronkowski and Mallett lives on through stories like this one, showcasing their camaraderie and spirit during their time together on the field.