Rob Gronkowski denies affiliation with Turning Point group after New Hampshire poll appearances
Retired Patriots tight end Rob Gronkowski said he is not linked to the conservative advocacy group Turning Point Action, which organized celebrity visits to New Hampshire polling stations.
Rob Gronkowski, a retired Patriots tight end, issued a statement after being photographed at polling locations in New Hampshire on Tuesday, clarifying that he has no affiliation with the conservative advocacy group Turning Point Action that arranged the celebrity visits.
The group, the political arm of Turning Point USA, has been running a "Commit to Chase 100 Ballots" initiative aimed at encouraging low-propensity voters to cast ballots. Several celebrities, including former Patriots receiver Danny Amendola, boxers Floyd Mayweather and Mike Tyson, and former Red Sox player Kevin Youkilis, were also seen at the polls.
"In regard to the images and videos circulating, we are not endorsed by or affiliated with Turning Point USA," Gronkowski wrote in a social-media post. He added that after stopping at Goffstown High School, he and his companions greeted fans, took photographs and signed items before moving to the next location.
"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," he said.
When asked at a press conference on Thursday, Gronkowski said his purpose in New Hampshire was to encourage voter participation and to discuss his upcoming induction into the Patriots Hall of Fame.
Turning Point Action did not respond to requests for comment, and Gronkowski’s representatives were also unavailable for comment.