Gronkowski buys stake in horse with his name ahead of Kentucky Derby

New England Patriots tight end Rob Gronkowski is pursuing a non-football endeavor, after all.

Gronkowski, who's expected to return to the Patriots for the 2018 season following rampant rumors of retirement and a potential career move to acting or the WWE, has acquired a minority stake in a 3-year-old colt that shares his name.

Gronkowski, the horse, is set to compete in the Kentucky Derby on May 5. The tight end is hoping to meet his investment a few days before the big event.

"I've never dealt with horses,” Gronkowski said, according to Jim Chairusmi of The Wall Street Journal. "Hopefully I can get a ride on the horse."

He was quickly informed that the horse may not be able to handle his approximate 150-pound weight advantage over a typical jockey.

"That's what I want to know," Gronkowski replied. "I'm not trying to ride it for a full speed ride. I just want to get the feel of what it's like to be on top of one. Maybe I’ll go for a full speed ride once I get comfortable."

The horse was named after the tight end by trainer Jeremy Noseda, whose family is made up of big Patriots fans, and because the colt is "big and strong," according to Tom Ludt, vice president of equine operations for Phoenix Thoroughbreds.