In the world of sports, there are often stories that capture our attention and make us wonder what the future holds for young athletes. A 10-year-old football prodigy nicknamed “Baby Gronk” has now become the center of attention. Recently, The New York Times published an article about him, highlighting his father’s belief that he could be the ‘next big thing’ in college football. Baby Gronk’s father, Jake San Miguel proudly proclaimed, “He’s a real athlete. He’s not a normal kid. He has been trained and programmed since he was 6 years old.”
However, this story took an unexpected turn when UFC legend Daniel Cormier retweeted the article, sharing his skepticism. Even NFL legend JJ Watt recently condoned the way the young boy was being coached by his father. While ‘DC’ seemingly gave a one-sided conclusion to the father’s endeavors, fans were in splits in their opinions on the matter!
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Fans are in splits after ‘DC’s bold remark on “Baby Gronk” goes viral
Taking to his Twitter handle, ‘DC’ boldly retweeted: “The kid has no chance. By the time he gets to high school, he will have quit and will resent his father.”
The kid has no chance. By the time he gets to high school he will have quit and will resent his father https://t.co/VidVeSHw04
— Daniel Cormier (@dc_mma) June 10, 2023
Naturally, Cormier’s retweet stirred up a storm of fan reactions. However, among the various responses, a few particularly stood out:
“Worked out ok for Tiger Woods”
“Wasn’t tiger woods doing something similar when he was this age?”
These words reminded fans of the legendary golfer who, from a young age, showed exceptional talent and dedication. Tiger Woods’s father, Earl Woods, groomed him to become a great golfer, much like Baby Gronk’s father is doing now. Therefore, it’s worth noting that Tiger’s success might not have been possible without his father’s unwavering belief and emphasis on the sport.
On one hand, supporters of Baby Gronk’s father argue that Tiger Woods and other successful athletes, such as the Williams sisters or the Ball brothers, have faced similar paths. They didn’t quit, and their dedication and love for their sport propelled them to greatness. Moreover, some fans advocated such opinions, saying,
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“Tiger & the Williams sisters didn’t quit. You shouldn’t judge, TBH. This is a single statement. Easy to assume it means the kid’s life lacks balance, he is working cuz he is told, and not cuz he loves it, etc. Gronk appreciates R&R. I’d be inclined to think that also gets passed on”
On the other hand, some critics warn against throwing a young athlete into the spotlight prematurely, arguing that true growth comes from experiencing competition, ‘feeling small’ within a team, and learning to act in service of something bigger than oneself. This, they believe, is the beauty of sports.
Ultimately, the story of Baby Gronk and his father’s ambitions sparks a debate that has resonated with sports enthusiasts. It remains to be seen whether Baby Gronk will become a star in college football or if he will ‘resent’ the path chosen for him.
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