The Fox crew, consisting of Gronkowski, Glazer, Terry Bradshaw, Michael Strahan, Howie Long and Curt Menefee, are next shown on set, with Strahan suggesting they talk about Russo next.

Glazer then talks about Russo’s activation, while Gronkowski – who played tight end for the Patriots and Buccaneers for 11 seasons – remains silent as his co-hosts hype the phantom player.

“It’s great because Russo is a complete game-changer, takes so much pressure off (Cowboys quarterback) Dak (Prescott), takes so much pressure off the running game, a great blocker, a great receiver,” Strahan enthuses as Gronkowski absorbs the information .

Then Menefee embarrasses Gronkowski and asks where he ranks a player of Russo’s caliber among the league’s tight ends.

“Uh, he’s been out for a while so he might be a little rusty when he comes back, but I think they’ll give him the chances, that’s for sure, but they also have (tight end Jake) Ferguson there .” “They will be a double combination,” he said.

While Gronkowski praised Ferguson, Brashaw turned the conversation back to Russo.

“He’s the only player in the league missing two fingers on his right hand, so he was out and now he’s back,” the Steelers star said, after which Gronkowski interjected: “So will it affect him if “Is he back?” catching a pass?”

Gronkowski kept the conversation going while his colleagues lowered their poker faces and burst into laughter when Menefee revealed the trick.

“Wow! That’s what I was wondering,” said a visibly shocked Gronkowski. “I was about to say when it was finished, ‘Guys, I’ve never heard of Rich Russo in my life.'”

Gronkowski said on Sunday’s show that the crew’s “heads were spinning” and that he had learned two things from the ordeal.

“That I’m a funny guy and secondly, that I’m always ready,” he joked.

Gronkowski first joined Fox Sports in 2019 following his first NFL retirement.

He rejoined the network in 2022 after retiring following the 2021 season.