Rob Gronkowski pays tribute to NHL star Johnny Gaudreau and brother after tragic bike accident
Rob Gronkowski paid condolences following Johnny Gaudreau and his brother Matthew Gaudreau's death on Thursday.
The Columbus Blue Jackets star and his younger brother Matthew (himself a former player who became a coach) were killed in Oldmans Township, New Jersey. They were hit from behind by a suspected drunk driver while cycling - a day before they were to serve as groomsmen at their sister Katie's wedding.
The former New England Patriots (the Gaudreaus had connections to the area, having played collegiately at Boston College) and Tampa Bay Buccaneers tight end sent this tribute via his Instagram Stories:
"RIP Johnny"
The perpetrator, Sean Higgins, admitted to having "five or six beers" before the incident. He has since been charged with two counts of death by auto (vehicular homicide), which is punishable by up to 10 years in state prison and a $200,000 fine in New Jersey.
Jalen Hurts also reacts to Johnny Gaudreau's death
There was at least another NFL figure who mourned Johnny Gaudreau's death; Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts. The two-time All-Pro and one-time Pro Bowler and conference champion wrote on his X (formerly Twitter) account:
"I'm deeply saddened to hear of the passing of Johnny and Matthew Gaudreau. Johnny was a dedicated hockey player, Birds fan & cherished member of the Eagles faithful. I want to send my heartfelt condolences to the entire Gaudreau family & those impacted by this loss!"
The Gaudreaus were born in Salem, just an hour's drive across the Delaware River from Philadelphia.
This will not be Hurts' first time reacting to an athlete's demise this year. Back in March, he announced that he would pay for the funeral of Jarvon Coles, a high school football player who was shot dead during a party in the northerly Houston suburb of Humble. (Coles played for North Shore; Hurts for rival Channelview.)
As of this writing, the perpetrators have yet to be found.