Dick Vitale Speaks Out On Rob Gronkowski’s Bucs Future
May 17th, 2022
Pleads with Gronk.
(Photo courtesy of Buccaneers.com.)
Last year was a rough one for the most high-profile Bucs fan in the land, and that is Dick Vitale.
The Hall of Fame college basketball analyst and indefatigable promotor of Tampa Bay sports is easily the most recognized local sports fan around. Last year, it was unknown how long Dickie V would be around.
In 2021, Dickie V was diagnosed with cancer and also had to have throat surgery, not exactly a good thing for a basketball analyst who makes his living with his voice. Dickie V had to sit out calling basketball games last winter, which had to drive him nuts. For the first time since maybe he was a toddler, Dickie V not only wasn’t around a gym, he couldn’t talk about hoops — or anything.
This year has started off much, much better for Dickie V. His throat surgery was a success and doctors have declared him cancer-free after several chemo treatments. Ring the bell! Awesome with a capital-A, bay-BEE!
So Dickie V is back to his cheerleading self when it comes to area teams. And Dickie V simply cannot bring himself to think of the Bucs playing this fall without foot-rubbing tight end Rob Gronkowski.
So Dickie V took to Twitter to throw shade at Gronk.
I have a better chance of being voted The SEXIEST MAN OF THE YEAR IN TV @espn than @RobGronkowski not playing this year with the @Buccaneers & his buddy @tombrady https://t.co/1sJf0qFT0W
— Dick Vitale (@DickieV) May 15, 2022
People are wanting Gronk back. First it was Tom Brady. Then it was Playoff Lenny. Now it’s Dickie V!
You tell ’em, Dick!
In all seriousness, Joe is really, really glad to see Vitale on the mend. If you have ever had a chance to cross paths with him, perhaps at a Rays game, you will know Vitale is as genuine and kind as anyone who works in sports television.
He is a total class act and the Tampa Bay area is a better place (and college basketball is a better sport) with Dickie V around.
(OK haters, feel free to gripe [again] about how Joe writes too many Gronk stories, even though he’s one of the most popular Bucs and a guy who will be in the Hall of Fame. There isn’t a day that SiriusXM NFL Radio doesn’t discuss Gronk and that’s a service millions pay to listen to. Simply put, until Gronk makes a decision to play or to retire, Joe has zero interest in ignoring such an important player.)
Used to being on top, but believe this is a first month that we've topped the others combined. 👈
A special thanks to all the fans for your support.
Data from @SimilarWeb pic.twitter.com/izq9KfGzeK— JoeBucsFan (@JoeBucsFan) May 5, 2022
Miss it yesterday? Enjoy it now. Another can’t-miss Ira Kaufman Podcast!
May 17th, 2022 at 12:22 am
Awesome news on Dickie V indeed. Love this man.
May 17th, 2022 at 3:38 am
I’m probably gonna wish I didn’t ask, but how did Gronk get his “foot rubbing” label?
Congrats to Dick Vitale.
Congrats to you Joebucsfan. You’re def the best BUCS site.
May 17th, 2022 at 5:28 am
Dickie V was also a shameless self-promoter who could be found selling and signing his own books during his weekend breakfast “forays” into the The Broken Egg restaurant.
He’d chat with all and kindly push his autobiography on everyone who he thought could read.
[Cant let that fly, sorry. — Joe]
Met him once at a Sarasota Film Festival event by jokingly shouting, “Hey Baby!” as I sauntered past him on my way to fetch a libation.
After hearing my bad impression, he rushed over, shook my hand and thanked me multiple times for “listening and watching.” We chatted for five minutes and I found him to be impossible not to like.
So thrilled he’s on the mend …
May 17th, 2022 at 5:39 am
Yes, Gronk is one of the major factors to get another SB. He is nearly important as Mike Evan, Goodwin, Lenny. the Bucs need Gage to be a good 2nd WR and the defense to be in the top 10.
May 17th, 2022 at 6:03 am
Mr Vitale is an amazing ambassador for sports on our Suncoast plus all the amazing things he does for kids with cancer and the V Foundation are truly amazing. Thanks for posting this one Joes!
BTW, memo to Gronk: just tell the Bucs and TB12 you will be ready to come back before the season starts but you will sign on the dotted line in mid to late June so you can miss the mandatory minicamp in early June!
May 17th, 2022 at 6:42 am
Great to hear. Truly a class act.
May 17th, 2022 at 6:50 am
He is a total class act and the Tampa Bay area is a better place (and college basketball is a better sport) with Dickie V around.
– No truer words spoken
May 17th, 2022 at 6:58 am
Not a hater……love the Gronk-a-day articles along with all the others on JBF
May 17th, 2022 at 8:02 am
The Bucs really haven’t improved the TE room – Bucs Management and Gronk know he’s coming back. Gronk said he was going to make Brady sweat it out – he’ll stay true to that word.
Go Bucs!
May 17th, 2022 at 8:05 am
I love Dickie V and Gronk, keep the stories coming Joe(s).
May 17th, 2022 at 8:22 am
I’ve always hoped to run across Dickie V sometime always liked that guy. I have seen Brian Engblom (Lightning color commentator) out and about and he was very cool.
May 17th, 2022 at 9:00 am
The ambassador of Tampa Bay sports and a class act.
May 17th, 2022 at 9:37 am
So true. This is a non-story. Gronk is suiting up. My focus is on how we’re going to pressure opposing QBs. This team is toast without a pass rush. One simple way to improve that would be to run the ball more and control the clock. Fresh legs make the world go round.
May 17th, 2022 at 10:32 am
Exactly, Smashie-BABY! Run the ball more, better TOP, defense less tired = winning formula and more consistency on both sides of ball.
May 17th, 2022 at 11:13 am
Great to hear mr. V is cancer free! I hope to see him at a rays game soon. Let’s go rays!
May 17th, 2022 at 12:16 pm
Every time I see that click traffic chart, one word comes to mind, America. Congrats @Joes on all the hard work you’ve put in over the years. Now just plz do us all a favor and never morph into a souless corporate media outfit and soil what you’ve built. And glad to hear the good news about Duckie V.