Gronkowski’s mom spanks him with spatula on Up & Adams during birthday moment
Diane Gronkowski reenacts a childhood spanking on Kay Adams’ FanDuel TV show; Rob Gronkowski reflects on his family dynamics and a milestone gift for his mom.
On Wednesday, Rob Gronkowski's mother, Diane Gronkowski, stole the spotlight during a segment on Up & Adams when she reenacted spanking him with a green spatula. The moment came as host Kay Adams shouted out Diane for her birthday during Gronkowski's appearance on the FanDuel TV program, where the former New England Patriots tight end also serves as a studio analyst for Fox NFL Sunday.
Adams asked Diane to perform the childhood routine on camera, prompting a humorous retelling. She described the scene: A lot of it was just that he never stopped. He always had to be the entertainer, and he wouldn’t stop. I’m exhausted, just stop. Gronkowski, who retired from the NFL in 2022, laughed as his mom recounted the antics that once earned him a spanking with a green spatula.
Rob Gronkowski later reflected on the moment, joking that his mother’s discipline helped prepare him for the NFL. "That’s why I couldn't feel the hits in the NFL because my mom got me ready," he said.
Video of the moment circulated on X as the Up & Adams account posted a clip with the caption, "Gronk Spike is OUT. Gronk Spank… is IN?" Adams also reposted the video, writing, "Gronk just got spanked by his mom on @UpAndAdamsShow."
Beyond the laugh, Gronkowski spoke about his close bond with his mother and his five brothers, describing how she raised them. For her birthday, he said, he bought her a bucket-list-style gift: two first-class tickets to wherever she wants to go, with a Christmas trip to New York City to enjoy the lights and snow. He noted she has flown private many times before, but never first class.
This moment adds to a pattern of Gronkowski sharing family-centered humor with fans as he remains a prominent figure in entertainment circles after retiring from professional football in 2022. The lighthearted exchange underscores the crossover between sports and television culture that has become a staple of Gronkowski’s public persona.
The clip has resonated with fans for its warmth and humor, illustrating how the Gronkowski family continues to capture attention beyond the gridiron. A separate collage post circulating on social media further amplified the moment, blending moments from Gronkowski’s career with his family’s candid exchanges.
The episode and its viral moments exemplify how sports figures increasingly intersect with entertainment and family-centered storytelling, turning a playful family anecdote into a broader cultural moment that resonates with fans across platforms.