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In the fourth quarter of a blowout win over the Buffalo Bills, New England Patriots tight end Rob Gronkowski felt like he was being picked on by Tre’Davious White and the refs so he decided to take matters into his own hands. Following a White interception, with the player down and touched and laying on the boundary of play, Gronkowski drove his elbow and body weight into White’s upper back, driving the rookie’s helmet into the New Era Field turf and causing a concussion.
Gronkowski was flagged for a late hit but another scuffle 25 yards away drew offsetting penalties for both teams. There was no justice in the game and we have yet to find out if the lumbering tight end will be suspended.
After the commotion died down, folks started wondering how Gronkowski was even able to get away with his hit as three Bills defenders stood near White after the play. It’s a good question. Take a look:
WATCH: Ugly UGLY late hit by Gronk on Tre White #Bills #Patriots @News_8 pic.twitter.com/M3eXqI1XBP
— Dan Fetes (@danfetes) December 3, 2017
After the play, cornerback Lafayette Pitts and linebacker Preston Brown both turn and immediately look for the flag from the ref. Pitts even puts both of his hands up and steps back as Gronkowski is taking the cheap shot. The only one of the three defenders in the immediate area who does anything is safety Jordan Poyer who gives Gronk a shove. Kyle Williams comes in late complaining to the ref.
Former Bills safety Aaron Williams, whose career ended on a cheap blindside hit causing neck damage, weighed in.
I don't care what the punishment would've been. You don't let your brother get done like that and let the guy just walk freely #ImOldSchool
— Aaron Williams (@ajwilliams23) December 3, 2017
Should they have done more? Was that little push from Poyer enough? Should they have stood up for their teammate even if it meant inciting a riot, earning their own flag, or being ejected/suspended?
Poll
Should Bills have done more to defend Tre’Davious White after Gronk’s cheap shot?
Update:
Sean McDermott addressed the reaction at his press conference on Monday saying he didn’t agree that Bills players did nothing.
Sean McDermott when asked about the lack of response from #Bills players after Rob Gronkowski's hit on Tre White: "That's not what I saw. I saw something other than that." @WGRZ pic.twitter.com/qFJU7e8emb
— Heather Prusak (@haprusak) December 4, 2017
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