5 other stars the NFLPA should advise rookies to 'be like'
At the NFLPA Rookie Premiere last weekend, the newest set of the league's players were given some advice they thought they may never hear.
While the advice was not directed at how to party, but rather how to brand your own natural personality, Rob Gronkowski is far from the only star the NFLPA should be advising young players to model themselves after.
Here are five other players with their fair share of NFL experience that could show rookies the way in five other categories.
Tom Brady
Nutrition and dieting
The New England Patriots quarterback's dieting habits have become legendary with stories about him never having eaten a strawberry and offering a $78-per-week meal plan popping up regularly.
At age 39, Brady says he feels as good as ever physically and his play on the field backs it up. Brady has been using every resource available to him to keep his body in peak condition and has earned credit from fellow quarterbacks like Aaron Rodgers and Drew Brees for setting the standard of what it takes to play as long as possible.
J.J. Watt
Social media and fan relations
Watt's humble bragging, cheesy-photo posting, self-promoting social media habits may be annoying and often times downright insufferable, but it's clearly working.
The 28-year-old has over 3.45 million Twitter followers and 2.6 million on Instagram. Only Russell Wilson ranks highers among NFL players, and if we're factoring in that the Seahawks star is a quarterback, is married to a famous singer, and shares equally-insufferable posts, Watt's accomplishment is more impressive.
Watt has embraced the fans in Houston and anywhere else for that matter. The love he's expressed to his admirers - whether real or phony - has turned him into a captivating star among a certain portion of NFL fans and boosted his popularity to sky-high levels.
Marshawn Lynch
Money management
How much money Lynch has or doesn't have is likely something only he and the IRS will ever know as he's not exactly known for sharing personal information with the public. However, Beast Mode certainly seems to know what he's doing.
After retiring in 2016, it was reported that Lynch had not spent a cent of the $50 million he earned through NFL paychecks as he was living well within his means and dipping into endorsement money to fund his day-to-day life. Lynch said that report was a bit exaggerated, but multiple sources close to the running back claim "he lives like he's broke."
Lynch doesn't blow his money on needless toys or carelessly give to friends' fruitless business ventures or feel the need to show off how rich he is or isn't. Instead, the 31-year-old has saved up and invested in a now-successful personal apparel line. His lack of flashy appearance has actually further endeared him to his loyal fan base.
Charles Woodson
Physical health and injury avoidance
Woodson hung up his pads over a year ago, but he didn't have to if he didn't want to. While the 18-year veteran doesn't have the dietary reputation of Brady, his commitment to his body and ability to keep it in elite playing condition was immaculate.
He transformed himself from an All-Pro cornerback to an All-Pro safety to remain an impact player when his foot speed started to take a hit.
Woodson played in at least 13 games in 15 of his 18 seasons and remained the best player in the Raiders' secondary at the time of his retirement, making the Pro Bowl for a ninth time in his final season.
Drew Brees
Composure and media relations
Honored with the "Good Guy Award" in 2010 by the Pro Football Writers Association, Brees has maneuvered his way around the media beautifully through his 16 NFL seasons.
Despite being the unquestioned leader and backbone of the Saints, Brees conducts himself with the proper balance of humility and confidence in the public eye. He vacuums up the blame after a loss and deflects the credit after a big win. The 38-year-old never shies away from facing the big questions after a tough outing or with rumors swirling about the ongoings of his team's locker room.
As an NFLPA representative, Brees also finds a way to express his criticisms of the league clearly and reasonably. Without a doubt, the franchise quarterback is perhaps the most well-spoken player in the league.