New England Patriots tight end Rob Gronkowski was knocked out of last night's AFC Championship game late in the first half after a helmet-to-helmet collision with Jacksonville Jaguars' safety Barry Church, and Gronk was unable to return.
While some Patriots fans were furious over the hit, others, like Seattle Seahawks defensive back Richard Sherman, defended Church's play.
After seeing the hit, Sherman tweeted, "The hit on Gronk is the only way Church could have done his job without just obliterating Gronks knee. If he would have just hit him low most ppl would calm him dirty. So there is nothing he can do to make everyone happy and do his job. Unless you think he should let him catch."
He added, "Would love to see some of these fans play the game. They all have such great perspectives. Couldnt even imagine playing at the speed and intensity that these men are playing at. Split second decisions."
The Patriots still managed to punch their ticket to Super Bowl LII even without Gronkowski for most of the night, and he will now have two weeks to nurse the injury before New England's next game.
According to the Boston Herald's Karen Guregian, Gronk was in the concussion protocol last night and there's optimism that #87 will be ready to play on February 4th when the Patriots take on the Philadelphia Eagles in Super Bowl LII.
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