Report: Patriots signed off on Gronk's WrestleMania cameo

Imagine this scenario: Bill Belichick, sitting in his office, is visited by one of his star players who asks the New England Patriots head coach if it's OK if they make a cameo at WrestleMania. And Belichick not only doesn't immediately cut that player, he signs off on their request.

Almost unthinkable, but that's reportedly what happened when Rob Gronkowski brought up a potential appearance for the WWE.

Gronkowski discussed Sunday's cameo with the Patriots in advance and the team didn't oppose it, a source told Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk.

The 27-year-old interfered in the Andre the Giant Memorial Battle Royal during the pre-show, helping Mojo Rawley win the match.

The star tight end has always been the exception to the rule when it comes to the "Patriot way," but it's at least a little surprising that New England was fine with Gronkowski - who missed a significant portion of the 2016 season with a back injury - stepping into the ring, albeit for a brief appearance that only required him to take his T-shirt off and shoulder barge Jinder Mahal.

The 27-year-old says he's fully healthy and "ready to roll" for the start of the Patriots' offseason program.