New England Patriots tight end Rob Gronkowski said Thursday he didn't think there was any ill intent behind the helmet-to-helmet hit by Jacksonville Jaguars safety Barry Church in the AFC Championship Game.
"It's football. It is what it is," Gronkowski said, per Pro Football Talk's Charean Williams. "I mean, it's a split-second to make a decision. It's running full speed one way. I'm going the other way. It's just part of the game. It happens. Just got to move on."
The NFL fined Church $24,309 for the hit, and Gronkowski suffered a concussion that put his availability for Super Bowl LII against the Philadelphia Eagles in doubt.