Tom Brady threw “two tuddies” to tight end Rob Gronkowski in the Bucs’ Super Bowl 55 victory over the Chiefs, earning the Most Valuable Player Award for the game.
On Saturday night, Gronkowski was on the receiving end again for Brady, this time accepting an ESPY for the Bucs quarterback as Best Athlete, Men’s Sports during the awards ceremony televised on ABC.
“What a surprise he didn’t show up,’’ Gronkowski said.
The Bucs also won the final ESPY of the night for Best Team, edging six other champions: Los Angeles Dodgers (World Series), Alabama (college football), Oklahoma (women’s softball), Baylor (men’s basketball), Stanford (women’s basketball) and the Seattle Storm (WNBA).
Brady, 43, taped a message in accepting his award in a category that included Edmonton Oilers captain Connor McDavid, Denver Nuggets center Nikola Jokic and Formula One driver Lewis Hamilton.
“Hey, everyone, I hope you guys are enjoying yourselves in New York. I certainly wish I could be there with you guys and my teammates to celebrate,’’ Brady said.
