Gronk Seeks Redemption In FanDuel’s ‘Kick Of Destiny 2’

Last February, Rob Gronkowski attempted a 25-yard field goal on Super Bowl Sunday as part of a social betting promotion designed by FanDuel.

Had Gronkowski connected on the “Kick of Destiny,” FanDuel promised to award customers with a share of $10 million in bonus bets. When the kick left his right foot, it initially looked as if it would split the goalposts before it curved like an errant golf shot. A small crowd in the Arizona desert cheered audibly for the four-time Super Bowl champion affectionately known as “Gronk,” but at the last instant, the kick traveled left, missing the left upright by mere feet.

Now, a year later, Gronkowski is back for a second chance at destiny. If Gronkowski connects from 25 yards out, FanDuel will award $10 million in bonus wagers to fans who opt in. During a Wednesday press conference on Radio Row in Las Vegas, Gronkowski emphasized that he faced more pressure last year.

“I’m not going to miss again,” he insisted. “I feel more confident, because where I started last year it was embarrassing.”

Light wind in the desert

Despite receiving tutelage from kicker Adam Vinatieri in the run-up to last year’s Super Bowl, Gronk still missed, depriving FanDuel bettors of a bonus wager. Gronkowski, a former tight end with the New England Patriots and Tampa Bay Buccaneers, served as a kickoff specialist on his high school team in Western New York.

In youth football, Gronkowski participated in the famed Punt, Pass, and Kick competition available for kids in Pop Warner football. There, Gronk used his toe to kick, he told FanDuel TV’s Kay Adams on Wednesday.

Last year, through Vinatieri, Gronk developed a “soccer-style” motion for the “Kick of Destiny,” using the side of his foot to attempt the kick. When it left his foot, Gronk claimed he struck the ball at a “perfect angle,” enabling him to deliver one of the most powerful kicks he’s ever had.

Unfortunately, the ball hit a gust of wind, causing it to hook to the left. On Sunday, winds in the Las Vegas area are projected to be “light and variable,” providing him with more favorable conditions.

Andrew Sneyd, executive vice president of marketing at FanDuel Group, helped design the marketing campaign for the “Kick of Destiny.” Sneyd spoke with a crestfallen Gronk after he missed the kick. Immediately, Gronk fell to the ground, clasping his helmet in despair.

“He looked up and said, ‘Andrew, we have to do this again.’” Sneyd told Sports Handle on Thursday. “I think it would have been more challenging to tell him that we weren’t going to have a kick of redemption.”

FanDuel’s brand grew about 10 points in share as a result of the campaign, Sneyd added.

Dealing with pressure

Asked by Sports Handle on Wednesday if he has developed empathy for kickers in pressurized situations, Gronkowski responded: “I have so much respect for these guys — it’s a craft, it’s an art to be able to kick.”

Born in Amherst, a suburb of Buffalo, Gronkowski was 20 months old when Scott Norwood missed a game-winning field goal in Super Bowl XXV. More recently, Tyler Bass, another Bills kicker, missed a potential game-tying kick against the Chiefs in the AFC Divisional Playoffs.

“I feel for them; it’s a tough job and, on top of it, they are doing it with the game on the line,” Gronkowski added.

For the “Kick of Destiny,” FanDuel customers will have the option of joining “Team Make” or “Team Miss.” Customers will receive a bonus bet if they correctly pick the outcome of the kick. As of Thursday, approximately 75% of participants picked the yes option, according to FanDuel data.

FanDuel will air the spot live on Sunday at an undisclosed location in the Las Vegas Valley. Since he began preparing for this year’s kick, Gronk indicated Wednesday that he’s connected on about 85% of his attempts. Although Gronk will attempt the kick from 25 yards again, he noted that he’s hit a few from at least 40.

Gronkowski seeks redemption on Sunday with a heavy heart. Last week, actor Carl Weathers passed away in his sleep at the age of 76. Known for his portrayal of Apollo Creed in Rocky, Weathers most recently starred alongside Gronk in the “Kick of Destiny” ad campaign. In one spot, Weathers met Gronk in the desert on a motorcycle, where he promised to tutor him for the kick.

“I’m going to the land of second chances…Vegas,” Gronk exclaimed. 

“And this time you won’t miss,” Weathers responded. 

Gronkowski cherished his brief time with Weathers, a former linebacker with the Raiders. In one of Gronkowski’s favorite scenes from the 1996 comedy Happy Gilmore, Weathers advised a golfer played by Adam Sandler to remain steady with the putter.

“My favorite scene in Happy Gilmore is when he said, ‘Just tap it in, tap it in,’” Gronkowski said. “We were doing a little scene and he said, ‘Rob, just kick it in, kick it in.’ It was just such a surreal moment.”

“My condolences to his family. I just loved sitting there being in awe of one of my legends,” he added. “I’m going to make this kick for America, but also I’m going to make this kick for Carl. He’s going to be missed.”