Gronkowski’s Patriots Hall of Fame celebration takes an awkward turn after teammate’s adult toys story

A story during the ceremony

Gronkowski was inducted into the New England Patriots Hall of Fame on Saturday outside Gillette Stadium. During the celebration, former Patriots linebacker Niko Koutouvides recalled an incident from training camp in 2011.

Koutouvides said Gronkowski had brought an adult toy to camp and talked about it with Hernandez. The story was met with criticism from social media users.

Koutouvides recounts conversation

Koutouvides said Gronkowski described buying an adult toy associated with Jenna Jameson and complained that it was a poor purchase. He then said Hernandez responded by describing a package he had received in college.

Koutouvides recalled that Hernandez went on to explain procedures related to the item. He questioned why the conversation was happening during a two-and-a-half-week training camp.

His response to the players

Koutouvides said he initially wondered whether to intervene, but eventually raised his hand and addressed Gronkowski and Hernandez. He argued that they would have opportunities to pursue what they wanted once they left camp. The account turned a celebratory Hall of Fame event toward an awkward anecdote about the players’ time together.