Following in the Footsteps of Shaquille O’Neal, Rob Gronkowski Once Revealed How He Excelled at His Game Despite Being a ‘Party Animal’

Two big names in the sporting fraternity, Shaquille O’Neal and Rob Gronkowski, have many similarities in their lives, but the only thing that outshines everything else is their love for partying. Both of them never budged from living in the moment. While not many athletes would advice partying like Shaq and Gronk, interestingly, no matter how hammered they were the night before, the gentle giants always unleashed their beast mode on the turf. A bizarre yet iconic story from the 2000s has resurfaced on the internet, which shows the resemblance of approach between these two stars and how they thrived in their respective careers despite being party animals.

Shaq was a first-round pick in the 1992 NBA draft. He played for 19 years in the league and emerged as one of the legends of the game, penetrating the defenses effortlessly. His destroyer status had its origins from the sheer dominance his exhibited during games. What makes his journey even more special is the fact that he never shied away from throwing a lavish party.

The incredible story behind Shaq’s career-high points in a single game

Back in March 2000, Shaq scripted his career-high record by dropping the most points in a single game against the Los Angeles Clippers. It was a helluva performance from the big guy in front of his idol, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, who was rooting for the Clippers in that game.

Before the game, Shaq threw a wild party to commemorate his 28th birthday, and the same evening, he was supposed to play for the Lakers. He was completely exhausted and couldn’t follow his pre-game rituals of eating sandwiches and taking a power nap. Shaq told his teammates he was not in the right mood to play and would forcefully eject himself by foul shaving. But fate had something else destined for him.

When he entered the court, the veteran was surprised to see his idol, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, watching him from the Clippers’ corner. No man in the right mind would lose that opportunity to impress the legend, and Shaq, wanting to leave an impact by playing his best, suddenly felt energized and aborted his plans of leaving the game halfway.

O’Neal showed a classic performance that night and destroyed the opposition by dropping 61 points in a single game. This shows that no matter how buzzed, hungover, or exhausted he was, when it came to basketball and following his passion, nothing could force O’Neal to budge from his path. While Shaq needed his icon’s presence to get going despite being tired, in Gronk’s case, the man actually got the energy and inspiration to excel in his field by partying hard on a regular basis.

Rob Gronkowski once revealed the real reason behind his success

As one could expect, it was just partying hard that pushed former Tight End Rob Gronkowski throughout his career. While he was not working, the veteran was seen chilling out with his teammates and close friends, something which he does even now on a regular basis. Speaking in a fun session with Jimmy Kimmel earlier this year, Gronk acknowledged the notion that his love for parties actually made him a better football player.

“Yes, in ways. I’ve always said that” Gronk said, per PEOPLE. “I’m from Buffalo, we love to have a good time, we love to do crazy things. It makes me better if I party. I’m a better player out on the field.” he added.

Gronk’s perspective of partying is absolutely insane. It includes carrying his friends to the bars, lifting them, holding and curling them, showing everyone how powerful, yet how kind-hearted he is. The 34-year-old has always had a charming personality, so much so, that even his critics love him.

Not only because he was a great player but because he is a fantastic human being who never said no to having an absolute ball at any given point of time.