The heartbreaking loss for USC against Washington left Trojans quarterback Caleb Williams crying in his mom’s arms, and left at least one former NFL star conflicted over the surprising scene.
“I was like that’s a little bit too much, like why is he crying?” Rob Gronkowkski said on the “Up and Adams Show” on Thursday.
On the flip side, he empathized that Williams may in fact just be a mama’s boy.
“But at the same time I’m like maybe he’s a mama’s boy and there’s nothing wrong with loving your momma,” he told FanDuel host Kay Adams.
The four-time Super Bowl champ said that the 2022 Heisman Trophy Winner’s emotion may purely come from his desire to win.
“Also maybe he has a lot of passion about winning,” Gronkowski said. “Maybe he cares a lot. I don’t know so it could definitely go either way.”
The scene caught audiences attention as Williams was laid out across the railing at the end of the section with a white sign covering his face in the embrace of his mom after losing 52-42 to the undefeated Huskies.
The loss, which featured Williams throwing for 312 yards and three touchdowns, dropped USC to 7-3 and 5-2 in the Pac 12.
“Overall I did think it was just a little weird to do it right there,” Gronkowski said. “You jump up into the stands and you’re crying and the paper over the head. It just looked like a weird scenario.
Although conflicted, Gronkowski ended his point of view acknowledging that we may not know the full truth behind Williams’ emotional display.
“You know we don’t really know what’s exactly going on and maybe he just really loves his mom,” Gronkowski said.
The longtime New England Patriots star recalled his lowest and most emotional moment, when he tore his MCL and ACL during a game against the Cleveland Browns in 2013.
Gronkowksi said when faced with uncertainty about the career you have worked so hard towards it can be devastating.
“You think everything is crushing down on you,” Gronkowski said.
