By Amy Tennery
(Reuters) – The Kansas City Chiefs have an unprecedented Super Bowl “three-peat” within their reach but still have a long way go to unseat the New England Patriots as football’s greatest dynasty, future hall of famer Rob Gronkowski told Reuters on Wednesday.
The tight end was with New England when they claimed three of their six championships, part of a two-decade-long reign under the sport’s all-time greatest quarterback-and-coach duo, Tom Brady and Bill Belichick.
The Chiefs’ campaign to become the first Super Bowl “three-peat” winners has led to fans and armchair experts debating whether such a feat would be enough to eclipse the Patriots’ dynasty.
Gronkowski said his former team’s legacy is secure – for now.
“They’ve definitely completed the first phase of the dynasty, especially if they win this game,” said Gronkowski as New Orleans gears up to host the Super Bowl for a record-tying 11th time.
“But they’re going to have to continue that success about another seven to eight years and then I can say that they’re right up there or surpassed the New England Patriots. Or we’ll see if they don’t surpass the New England Patriots.”
It has been a swift rise to supremacy for the Chiefs, who only five years ago ended their five-decade long Super Bowl drought and are now one game away from making NFL history.
Beating the Eagles would put Andy Reid within two wins of Belichick’s record (31) for most post-season victories by an NFL head coach while quarterback Patrick Mahomes eyes a fourth Super Bowl MVP designation that would put him one shy of Brady.
“They are doing something special right now and that’s going for a three-peat – it’s nothing short of amazing,” said Gronkowski.
Gronkowski has been a staple of the Super Bowl party scene even before he hung up his cleats for good in 2022, with sponsors still flocking to the five-time Pro Bowler.
Gronkowski plans to enjoy the Big Easy’s notorious party scene, touring the town with a member of New Orleans sporting royalty, retired quarterback Drew Brees, his “wingman” for sponsor Bounty.
“You’ve got to pick and find the spots,” he said. “I feel like a jazz spot, a speakeasy is where I’m going to have to be. So you can find me underground.”
(Reporting by Amy Tennery in New York, editing by Pritha Sarkar)
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