Kay Adams Criticizes Patriots Owner for Romeo Doubs Wearing No. 87
The "Up and Adams" host believes the organization failed Rob Gronkowski by not consulting him before allowing the receiver to wear his former number.
Host Kay Adams expressed strong disapproval of the New England Patriots organization for allowing wide receiver Romeo Doubs to wear the number 87, a jersey number famously associated with former tight end Rob Gronkowski.
During a segment on the "Up and Adams" show, Adams stated, "No one should wear 87 in New England." She argued that the decision was a failure by the organization, particularly since Gronkowski, a Patriots Hall of Famer, was not consulted. "It is actually so absurd. I kind of knew you were going to say this. You were the greatest tight end to play the game of football and especially on that team... You have four freaking Super Bowls. It is absurd it is a failure by the organization that I know and love."
Gronkowski, who was inducted into the Patriots Hall of Fame in April, stated he was "cool" with Doubs wearing the number, though he acknowledged he was not consulted. He also suggested that only Tom Brady's No. 12 should be retired by the Patriots, believing all other numbers should remain usable.
The Patriots retired Brady's No. 12 in 2024. Gronkowski played his first nine seasons with the Patriots, winning three Super Bowls and being named First-Team All-Pro four times before retiring after the 2018 season. He later played for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers for two seasons before retiring a second time in June 2022.
Doubs, who wore No. 87 during his four seasons with the Green Bay Packers, signed a four-year, $68 million contract with the Patriots in March. He is the latest player to wear No. 87 since Gronkowski's departure. Previous players to wear the number include Matt Sokol, John Parker Romo, and Joshua Dobbs.