X

Venus Williams, JR Smith Take Down Rob Gronkowski in 'Game On' Debut

Blake SchusterCorrespondent IIIMay 28, 2020

MIAMI, FLORIDA - FEBRUARY 01: Rob Gronkowski and Camille Kostek are seen on stage during
Joe Scarnici/Getty Images

In one of his last acts before returning to the NFL, Tampa Bay Buccaneers tight end Rob Gronkowski appeared on the premiere episode of CBS' Game On.

Unlike most of his football career, Gronk was handed a resounding defeat. 

The show pits two teams of three athletes and celebrities against each other in creative takes on traditional game show formats—for the trivia portion, contestants had to match bizarre quotes with the athletes who said them. On Wednesday, Gronkowski teamed up with comedians Bobby Lee and Gabriel Iglesias to take on Venus Williams, JR Smith and comedian Ian Karmel.

Venus Williams @Venuseswilliams

You hear that, @kingjames? 👀😂 @therealjrsmith @iankarmel #GameOn https://t.co/vzwBCkHcmM

Things started off great for Gronkowski, but they quickly went downhill.

In the first challenge, the NFL star squared off against Smith in a bid to see who could keep a stationary bicycle above 100 RPM the longest. The loser had a massive water balloon popped on his head. 

Game On! @gameon

That pretty much sums it up. #GameOn https://t.co/1PxvmuE9PK

Ian Karmel @IanKarmel

Exclusive picture of me watching JR Smith compete in the first #GameOn challenge. https://t.co/CBFreSpWfQ

Game On! @gameon

First rule of #GameOn: always trash talk. https://t.co/9P3VbVWHf8

It's safe to say Gronkowski's conditioning should be fine when he gets to training camp. 

Unfortunately, Team Gronk didn't perform as well as its namesake. Perhaps they would've have had Gronkowski been allowed to participate in the football portion of the evening. 

Ian Karmel @IanKarmel

Gronk feels me coming for the throne. Hard to blame him. I've got the body, just need the coaching. #GameOn https://t.co/2kC9DXQC9O

The trivia round went to Team Venus, who then surged ahead in the final strength challenge to win 13-8.

Game On! @gameon

Venus - 13. Gronk - 8. Get ready for that L! #GameOn https://t.co/Q1cdqvvlQp

Sunnier days are ahead for Gronkowski, as he'll reunite with quarterback Tom Brady in Tampa Bay this season.