default-cbs-image

Last Sunday night's Seahawks-Patriots matchup might be a preview of the Super Bowl, but whatever happens over the next two and a half months, this much is certain: Rob Gronkowski and Earl Thomas emerged from that game with newfound respect for each other.

Two of the league's most physical players got to know each other really well during this 2nd quarter collision:

Gronkowski, who later underwent tests, said that was the "hardest" he'd ever been hit, and referred to Thomas as "a missile."

"Yeah, that was a big hit for sure; probably one of the hardest I've got hit in my career for sure. [It was] by a good player; a good fast player who's like a missile," Gronkowski said after the Pats' 31-24 loss. "It was a good, clean hit; nothing against it. I just took it and it just knocked the wind out of me a little bit, that's all. If you've ever gotten the wind knocked out of you, you know what that feels like. Just down for about a minute or two, it's a little tough to breathe, but once it comes back, you're good. ...

"Yeah, it was a good, clean hit," Gronk continued. I have no problem with it. He hit me fair and square. It's football. You're going to get laid out eventually."

Thomas took to Twitter after learning that Gronkowski suffered an injury in the game.

The mutual love continued hours later when Gronk responded to Thomas' response:

Who knows, if Thomas plays his cards right he could earn himself a spot on the Gronk party ship's next voyage.