Nearly every NFL pro has certain bonuses written into his contract that are paid out when a statistical mark is reached. Rob Gronkowski reached a bonus in the final game of the season – thanks to his buddy Tom Brady.

Munich/Tampa Bay – It was a somewhat bizarre scene in the fourth quarter of the game between the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and the Carolina Panthers.

Actually, Tom Brady was not supposed to play anymore, the game, which ended 41:17, had long been decided. But Brady was desperate to get back on the field with his so-called “First Team Offense”. He even sent his backup Blaine Gabbert, who was about to come in, back to the sidelines.

$500,000 bonus for “Gronk “

The reason was not only the 44-year-old’s record chase (passes received in a season), he also wanted to give his tight end Rob Gronkowski some spending money. Shortly before the end, “Gronk” stood at 54 catches in the season. At 55, he would be paid a $500,000 bonus. And Brady wanted to make sure he got it.

After a Panthers fumble, Brady came down the field, found Gronkowski for eight yards and then marched back down. It was quickly clear that Brady came in just for that. He may not have even realised that he broke Drew Brees’ season record for balls received.

“It’s cool when you reach those bonuses. I thank the Buccaneers that I can even be in the position to reach those bonuses. I love playing here,” the long-time New England Patriot Gronkowski gushed almost effusively about his new team.

The 32-year-old doesn’t want to give anything away to his quarterback, though: “I guess I’ll have to take all the tight ends out to dinner now. The quarterbacks, too, I guess, except Tom. Just the backups,” the giant joked.

Not the first time Tom Brady has served as the Buccaneers’ treasurer in addition to his position as quarterback. Already last year, he threw eleven passes for 138 yards to his now ex-colleague Antonio Brown in the last game of the season, who earned an additional million as a result.