Patriots TE Rob Gronkowski Awkwardly Dodges Question About Deflategate On ‘Celebrity Family Feud’

Things got rather awkward on a recent taping of Celebrity Family Feud, when Patriots tight end Rob Gronkowski was asked a question that he probably wished host Steve Harvey hadn’t asked, the Daily Mail is reporting.

“[Name] something that can be inflated or deflated.”

For those readers not familiar with why this would be an awkward question for Rob Gronkowski: it’s because he’s a member of the New England Patriots, the team that won last year’s Super Bowl and, more importantly, has found itself at the center of a cheating controversy known as “Deflategate.” Shortly before the Super Bowl, the Patriots were found to have been using footballs that weren’t fully inflated to NFL standards — a bit of chicanery that may have given quarterback Tom Brady a better grip, and given the Patriots an unfair competitive advantage.

The NFL’s investigation concluded that Brady was “at least generally aware” of the improper inflation of the footballs, and the NFL suspended him for the first four games of the upcoming season — a punishment he has appealed. The Patriots team as a whole, meanwhile, were fined $1 million and were forced to give up two draft choices. They have not appealed the punishment.

Rob Gronkowski has not been directly implicated in the Deflategate scandal, and it’s unclear what, if anything, he know about the cheating.

During the taping of Celebrity Family Feud, after host Steve Harvey asked the loaded — and almost painfully awkward — question, Gronkowski beat his opponent to the buzzer. Apparently realizing he was about to be made a fool of, Gronkowski offered an equally awkward response, according to New York Daily News:

“I don’t even want this one.”

Gronkowski frowned and waved his hand dismissively while responding.

You can watch a teaser video of the painful exchange below, courtesy of the Daily Mail.

ABC will be hosting a prime-time version of the syndicated daytime game show Family Feud this summer. Called Celebrity Family Feud, the show will pit families of celebrities — including Rob Gronkowski and his brothers — against one another, with the prize money going to charity.

The Washington Post sports blogger, Des Bieler, thinks that Gronkowski and his brothers are a perfect fit for a show like Celebrity Family Feud.

“Gronk’s appearance on the Feud, hosted by comedian Steve Harvey, could more closely resemble the Saturday Night Live parodies of Alex Trebek’s interactions with celebrities. There’s no telling what will come out of the tight end’s mouth, especially if he and his bros are encouraged to enjoy some ‘refreshments’ backstage before the taping.”

Rob Gronkowski’s appearance on Celebrity Family Feud will air on Sunday, June 21 on ABC.

[Image courtesy of: Getty Images / Jared Wickerham]