Retired Patriots tight end Rob Gronkowski issued a statement on Tuesday to address speculation surrounding his appearance at several New Hampshire polling locations on Election Day. Gronkowski emphasized that he is not endorsed by, nor formally affiliated with, Turning Point Action, the political arm of the conservative nonprofit Turning Point USA, which had arranged for a number of high‑profile athletes and entertainers to visit voters.
Statement from the former NFL star
In a social‑media post, Gronkowski described the media coverage of his visit as “upsetting and eye‑opening” and said, “In regard to the images and videos circulating, we are not endorsed by or affiliated with Turning Point USA.” He added that after stopping at Goffstown High School, he and his team crossed the street to greet fans, took photographs, and signed autographs before moving on to the next location.
Gronkowski noted that he “took some pictures and I signed some things for them before leaving” and that he “took photos with people across the political spectrum throughout that morning.” He concluded that the celebrity stop was a simple, friendly encounter and that the media had “stripped an innocent moment of context and turned it into clickbait.” The former NFL player urged everyone to treat each other with kindness.
Turning Point Action’s voter‑turnout effort
Turning Point Action confirmed that the group had organized a “Commit to Chase 100 Ballots” initiative in New Hampshire, aiming to encourage low‑propensity voters to cast their ballots. The organization has a history of deploying volunteers and public figures to polling sites as part of its get‑out‑the‑vote strategy.
Other celebrities spotted at New Hampshire polling locations on Tuesday included former Patriots receiver Danny Amendola, boxers Floyd Mayweather and Mike Tyson, and former Red Sox all‑star Kevin Youkilis. News 9 reported that many Granite Staters received text messages in the days leading up to the election teasing the celebrity visits.
Response from local media
News 9 reached out to Turning Point Action for comment but had not received a response at the time of publication. The outlet also attempted to contact Gronkowski’s representatives for additional remarks without success.
The incident highlights the ongoing practice of political advocacy groups using well‑known personalities to draw attention to voter‑turnout initiatives. While Gronkowski’s participation was personal, the presence of a coordinated group underscores the importance of community engagement in the democratic process.
What this means for New Hampshire voters
For New Hampshire residents, the episode serves as a reminder that high‑profile visits to polling places can generate both enthusiasm and confusion. Voters are encouraged to focus on the act of voting itself, regardless of any celebrity presence, and to verify information directly from reliable sources.
Original reporting: WMUR (Hearst) – local news — read the source article.
