Front Row recently debuted a new series as editorial assistant Kate Rosen transforms into “Green Room Kate.” While using her alter ego, Kate roams the studios, hallways, green rooms and other ESPN campus hot spots as celebrities, athletes and newsmakers visit the Bristol, Conn. campus. GRK will share some of her pictures and videos with fans after each visit.
The series continues today as Green Room Kate spends the day with Patriots tight end Rob Gronkowski and Giants wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr. during their Wednesday visit to ESPN for the 2016 #MaddenCover reveal.
The NFL stars discussed everything from their favorite Kardashian (Gronk – Kourtney; Beckham – “You’ve got to go with Kim”); their style icons (Gronk – LMFAO; Beckham – himself); and the advice LeBron James gave to his newfound Giants friend, who attended Tuesday’s Cavs game (“Do what you need to do on the field and the rest will take care of itself.”)
After an eight-hour day filled with snacks, cellphone charging and naps (Gronk got the bigger bed in the Green Room), Beckham, the Madden Cover winner got the opportunity to co-host the 11 p.m. ET SportsCenter.
In the video above, get a behind the scenes look at the NFL stars’ busy – and messy – day through the lens of GRK.
Video produced by Kate Rosen and Dave Williams
11:00 a.m.: Odell Beckham Jr. arrives in Bristol and is off to his 11:15 call time for First Take. (Kate Rosen/ESPN)
11:15 am: Rob Gronkowski makes his way to the ESPN campus, soon after rushing to the set of His & Hers to film a segment. (Kate Rosen/ESPN)
12:09 p.m.: After a SportsCenter hit, Gronk and Odell chat with ESPN NFL analysts Jeff Saturday and Darren Woodson before participating in a one-handed catch-off competition. (Kate Rosen/ESPN)
12:17 p.m.: Beckham had a successful one-handed catch while holding his coffee in the practice round, but didn’t have such luck during the real deal. (Kate Rosen/ESPN)
12:57 p.m.: Gronk and OBJ head over to a secluded grass area to film “Can You Catch This: Dirty Edition” … but first, let them take a selfie. (Kate Rosen/ESPN)
1:09 p.m.: Gronk makes an amazing catch from SportsCenter correspondent Reese Waters– so great that he decided to take a bite after asking if it was fresh. (Kate Rosen/ESPN)
1:10 p.m.: Beckham followed suit of his 2016 Madden Cover competitor and took a bite of the Subway sandwich. (Kate Rosen/ESPN)
1:14 p.m.: When the competition was over, Gronk and Beckham got even with Waters and attacked him with cake. (Kate Rosen/ESPN)
1:18 p.m.: The duo are good sports when cleanup time came, despite being drenched in various substances. (Kate Rosen/ESPN)
1:19 p.m.: One of them had it a little worse than the other. (Kate Rosen/ESPN
1:32 p.m.: The 2016 Madden Cover prospects are actually running ahead of schedule, giving them some down time and silence to check their phones and grab a bite. (Kate Rosen/EPSN)
3:00 p.m.: After a quick spot on SVP & Russillo, the Patriot and Giant watch NFL Insiders off-stage while waiting for their turn back on the camera. (Kate Rosen/ESPN)
3:02 p.m.: One thing Tom Brady’s teammate cannot avoid is all the Deflategate questioning on every show, as well as constant discussions on TVs throughout the campus. (Kate Rosen/ESPN)
3:09 p.m.: NFL Insiders host Suzy Kolber asks what each hopeful would want their Madden Cover picture to be should they win, which prompted the whole studio to have a laugh with the thought of Gronk’s ESPN the Magazine kitten photos becoming the main art. (Kate Rosen/ESPN)
4:00 p.m.: After filming NFL Insiders and NFL Live back to back, the duo shyly watch the premier of their one-handed catch competition on TV. (Kate Rosen/ESPN)
4:26 p.m.: Gronk and OBJ get instructions from SportsCenter producer Arthur Dolan before filming an upcoming introduction to the 6 p.m. reveal show. (Kate Rosen/ESPN)
4:28 p.m.: Although competing for the Madden Cover honor, the NFL competitors were in great spirits and bonded throughout the day, especially about being exhausted! (Kate Rosen/ESPN)
4:46 p.m.: The NFL’s biggest stars can’t escape the spotlight, “running into themselves” on TV while making their way to the next Car Wash stop. (Kate Rosen/ESPN)
Not much is more important than food to these hard-working athletes, grabbing at the opportunity to take another food break. (Kate Rosen/ESPN)
6:05 p.m.: After a live Periscope session and a short nap, Beckham and Gronk were asked rapid fire questions for ESPN’s social media as they awaited their fate for the 6 p.m. SportsCenter reveal. (Kate Rosen/ESPN)
6:32 p.m.: Gronk, Beckham (further down on left) sitting SportsCenter side with their crews before finding out who won the Madden Cover. (Kate Rosen/ESPN)
6:56 p.m.: … And the winner is. (Kate Rosen/ESPN)
7:03 p.m.: Gronk heads out of the studio before his 2-hour drive back home, something Beckham couldn’t do as the winner stayed to host the 11 p.m. SportsCenter. After the 8-hour day, the Patriots TE won the battle for who would get some immediate rest. (Kate Rosen/ESPN)
