Ninkovich Favors Gronkowski Over Kelce at Patriots Induction

Rob Ninkovich used Rob Gronkowski’s induction into the New England Patriots Hall of Fame to argue that Gronkowski was a more complete tight end than Kansas City Chiefs star Travis Kelce, saying the two “don’t even come close.” Ninkovich described Kelce as a receiver and Gronkowski as a tight end, framing the distinction around blocking as well as catching passes.

The former Patriots linebacker made the comparison at the induction ceremony. His assessment was an opinion about the players’ roles, not an objective ranking established by their statistics. Gronkowski’s induction honored his nine seasons with New England, from 2010 through 2018.

Ninkovich had questioned Kelce’s blocking before. On a 2018 podcast, he recalled playing against Kelce and said the Chiefs player did not want to block, adding that a tight end who does not block is “not really a tight end.” The remark echoed the distinction Ninkovich made at the ceremony.

Kelce’s receiving record offers a counterpoint to the comparison. In 2021, he passed Gronkowski’s previous tight-end receiving-yard mark of 8,668, reaching 8,702 yards after catching five passes for 74 yards against the Dallas Cowboys. Kelce has since moved...