MANCHESTER, N.H. —
Retired Patriots tight end Rob Gronkowski has released a statement related to his appearances at polling locations in New Hampshire on Tuesday, saying he is not affiliated with a conservative advocacy group that was bringing celebrities to the polls.
Gronkowski was one of several celebrities spotted by New Hampshire voters at the polls Tuesday.
News 9 confirmed that conservative political advocacy group Turning Point Action brought celebrities to New Hampshire as part of a get-out-the-vote effort. Many Granite Staters reported receiving text messages before Election Day teasing the celebrity visits.
A News 9 viewer shared a photo of Gronkowski outside Bedford High School posing for photos with viewers.
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In a social media post, Gronkowski said it was “upsetting and eye opening to see the narratives” around his visit to New Hampshire.
“In regard to the images and videos circulating, we are not endorsed by or affiliated with Turning Point USA,” Gronkowski said in the post. “After stopping at Goffstown high school we crossed the street to greet excited fans yelling out our names before leaving to the next location. We simply took some pictures and I signed some things for them before leaving.”
Turning Point USA is a nonprofit organization, while Turning Point Action is its political arm, which can engage in political activity.
“We took photos with people across the political spectrum throughout that morning,” Gronkowski said in his statement. “We cannot control what the media has made of it and running with – so we are here to shut down the false narratives.”
The soon-to-be Patriots Hall of Famer was asked about it at a press conference Thursday afternoon.
“I’m just here to talk about the Patriots Hall of Fame right now,” Gronkowski said. “And I just went up to New Hampshire to encourage people to vote.”
In addition to Gronkowski, other notable celebrities at polling locations included former Patriots receiver Danny Amendola, boxers Floyd Mayweather and Mike Tyson, and former Red Sox all-star Kevin Youkilis.
News 9 reached out to Turning Point Action on Tuesday but has not heard back. News 9 also contacted Gronkowski’s representatives for comment but hasn’t heard back.
On its website, Turning Point Action noted that New Hampshire was a focal point of the organization’s “Commit to Chase 100 Ballots” initiative, an effort to get low-propensity voters to cast their ballots.
Read Gronkowski’s full statement:
“It has been upsetting and eye opening to see the narratives around my visit to NH on Election Day with Camille.
“In regard to the images and videos circulating we are not endorsed by or affiliated with Turning Point USA.
“After stopping at Goffstown high school we crossed the street to greet excited fans yelling out our names before leaving to the next location. We simply took some pictures and I signed some things for them before leaving.
“We took photos with people across the political spectrum throughout that morning. We cannot control what the media has made of it and running with – so we are here to shut down the false narratives.
“It’s disappointing to see an innocent moment stripped of context and turned into clickbait. Our message has always been and always will be to treat everyone with kindness and hope you all will do the same.”