Kay Adams criticized the New England Patriots for not consulting Rob Gronkowski before assigning the number 87 to new wide receiver Romeo Doubs. During a show, Gronkowski responded that he is "cool" with it, but Adams insisted it was absurd and a failure by the organization. Despite his four Super Bowl victories in nine seasons with the team, Gronkowski declined to advocate for retiring the number, maintaining that only Tom Brady's No. 12 should be retired due to his two-decade tenure with the Patriots.
Written locally by qwen2.5:14b on 2026-09-17,
using this article's own text rather than the other coverage of the
same event (that is the story summary below).
Story summary
Kay Adams, a sports commentator, criticized the Patriots organization for not consulting former tight end Rob Gronkowski before assigning new wide receiver Romeo Doubs to wear jersey number 87. During an episode of her show "Up and Adams," Adams argued that no player should be allowed to wear number 87 in New England since it is closely associated with Gronkowski, who wore the number during his nine seasons with the team and won three Super Bowls. However, when contacted by Adams, Gronkowski responded that he was "cool" with Doubs wearing the number, despite not being consulted beforehand. Gronkowski noted that while he believes Tom Brady's No. 12 should be retired in recognition of Brady’s record-breaking career with the Patriots, no other numbers should be restricted from use by current players.
Written for “Gronkowski Jersey Number Controversy” on 2026-09-18,
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Kay Adams called out Patriots owner Robert Kraft for failing Rob Gronkowski by not consulting the former tight end before giving wideout Romeo Doubs No. 87.
asserted
Adams → call → .
During Wednesday’s installment of the “Up and Adams” show, Gronkowski — who wore the number during his nine seasons in New England and won three Super Bowls — explained that he is “cool” with it.
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he → wear → it
“Let’s just be really real for a second.
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’s → let → second
You can’t be OK with — no one should wear 87 in New England,” Adams said.
asserted
Adams → wear → England
“I’m not the one who makes the decisions over there, Kay. …
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who → ’m → decisions
I wasn’t consulted at all.
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I → consult → ?
But I mean, I’m cool with it,” Gronkowski, who was inducted into the Patriots Hall of Fame in April, said.
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who → mean → April
“The only number that I truly believe should be retired in New England — which I think it’s retired but its not hung in the rafters or anything yet — is the No. 12…
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it → believe → rafters
[Former Patriots quarterback] Tom [Brady] set the standards and if you’re not playing for 20 years I don’t think that any other number should be retired.
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number → set → years
I think all other numbers should be very usable.”
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numbers → think → ?
The Patriots retired Brady’s No. 12 in 2024 after he won six Super Bowls during his 20 seasons with New England.
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he → retire → England
Adams explained that it is “absurd” and “insane” that the Patriots organization would consider allowing another player to wear No. 87.
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player → explain → .
“Gronk this is your worst take,” Adams said.
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Adams → say → ?
This has nothing to do with the player.
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This → have → player
You’re laughing, but it could be anyone.
uncertain
it → laugh → ?
I kind of knew you were going to say this.
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you → know → this
“You were the greatest tight end to play the game of football and especially on that team, respectfully to some souls who’ve been there through the years.
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who → play → years
You have four freaking Super Bowls.
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You → have → Bowls
It is absurd it is a failure by the organization that I know and love.
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I → know → that
“I know that Patriots fans are on my side on this one and I’m sure they’re going to have a thing or two to say.
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they → know → thing
And maybe it’s because you’re too damn nice, that you don’t even get consulted.
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you → ’ → ?
So … Mr. Kraft, who I love and Mr. Kraft’s family — this is insane.
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this → love → who
There is no way you’re OK with that really.
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you → be → that
You’re insane.”
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You → ’re → ?
Gronkowski, who is eligible for the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2027, continued to downplay the situation.
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who → continue → situation
“Hey Kay, I’m just going to let you speak about the matter.
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you → go → matter
I plead the fifth over here,” he said.
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he → plead → fifth
Doubs signed a four-year, $68 million contract with New England in March after he spent the first four seasons of his career in Green Bay.
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he → sign → Bay
He wore No. 87 with the Packers.
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He → wear → Packers
Doubs is the latest player to wear No. 87 since Gronkowski last played for New England in 2018.
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Gronkowski → wear → 2018
Matt Sokol, John Parker Romo, and Joshua Dobbs have worn a jersey with No. 87 since Gronkowski left New England.
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Gronkowski → wear → England
Gronkowski, a second-round pick by the Patriots in 2010, spent the first nine seasons of his career with New England and won three Super Bowls.
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Gronkowski → spend → Bowls
He was also named First-Team All-Pro four times.
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He → name → ?
He averaged 15.1 yards per reception and caught 79 touchdowns in 115 games with the Patriots.
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He → average → Patriots
Gronkowski retired after the 2018 season.
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Gronkowski → retire → season
He returned to the NFL to reunite with quarterback Tom Brady for a final Super Bowl run with the Buccaneers in 2020 before retiring a second time in June 2022.
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He → return → June
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