American Football Is Hurting the USMNT, Says NFL Legend Rob Gronkowski
On very few occasions do football and the NFL cross paths, but nowadays in the United States, one of them is gaining more momentum.
With packed stadiums on both sides, soccer is creating a sort of sports revolution, already surpassing MLB in viewership and marketing.
However, it is impossible not to mention that American football and basketball remain the dominant sports in the United States.
Even so, several NFL athletes are beginning to recognize and join the movement that soccer is generating across America.
During an interview on The Late Run Show, Rob Gronkowski, a National Football League legend and considered the greatest tight end in the history of the sport, explained that American football is hurting soccer and the USMNT.
"I think the USMNT would be a top 3 team in the world," Rob Gronkowski.
During his conversation with Chad Ochocinco, another famous National Football League player, the former New England Patriots star explained that, with the athletic ability currently seen in positions like wide receivers and defensive backs, the United States men's national soccer team would be the third-best national team in the world.
"Our best athletes all play football, American football. If those athletes had started playing soccer at a young age, like our wide receivers and DBs, I believe the USMNT would be a top-three team in the world when it comes to the Olympics and the World Cup."
In that same discussion, the multiple-time Super Bowl champion emphasized that American football is limiting the USMNT's potential by drawing away many of the nation's top athletes.
"I think our football ruined the soccer game, kind of ruined our soccer teams and Team USA."
The truth is that, even though the words used by Rob Gronkowski may sound somewhat harsh, soccer is not as popular in the United States as most kids dream of playing in the National Football League rather than in MLS or another soccer club.
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This story was originally published May 15, 2026 at 1:22 PM.