Tampa Bay Buccaneers stars Tom Brady and Rob Gronkowski have an undeniable chemistry–a connection that extends even after their time with the New England Patriots. However, things didn't start that way for the two.

When asked about the reports of Brady being mean to him when they first got together, Gronk didn't hold back and admitted that the veteran QB was indeed a “meanie pants.” While the Buccaneers tight end didn't elaborate on what Tom did, Brady did acknowledge he was hard on him–but for a good reason.

“It was intentional,” Brady said while laughing. “I try to toughen him up a little bit. Gotta see what I'm working with. Kids have it so easy these days, so you gotta challenge him a little bit.”

But hey, Tom Brady's tough love did seem to work on Rob Gronkowski as the two went on to win three Super Bowl titles with the Patriots before taking another one with the Buccaneers in 2020.

Live and breathe the NFL?

🚨 Get viral NFL graphics, memes, rumors and trending news delivered right to your inbox with the Clutch Newsletter.

More recently, Brady and Gronk climbed to second for the most touchdowns by a quarterback-receiver duo with 90. They only trail Peyton Manning and Marvin Harrison with 112 TDs together. This achievement only highlighted further their awesome connection, which Gronk described as some sort of telepathy.

“He knows already what I’m thinking, before I even know what I’m thinking,” Gronk said.

Meanie pants or not, Brady's tough love had certainly gone a long way in establishing a partnership he surely didn't imagine would last this long.