Tom Brady and Rob Gronkowski swapped duck boats for party yachts on Wednesday.
The Super Bowl champion Tampa Bay Buccaneers celebrated their victory with a boat parade on the Hillsborough River, in an effort to keep fans safer during the coronavirus pandemic.
Brady traveled the route on his new million-dollar cruiser named “Viva La Vida.” Gronkowski followed closely behind on a yacht with teammates Scotty Miller, Cameron Brate, and Mike Evans on board.


The highlight of the affair came when Brady caused fans to cheer — and maybe cringe for a moment — when he tossed the Buccaneers’ Lombardi Trophy to his ex-Patriots batterymate, who was traveling behind him on a different boat. Brate stepped in to make the grab for Gronkowski.
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Tom Brady really THREW the Lombardi Trophy to Gronk on another boat 😱
— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) February 10, 2021
(via @WHoltzman)pic.twitter.com/9mDUQ0bqAH
You can see a closer look here.
Tom Brady casually tossing the Lombardi Trophy. No big deal. pic.twitter.com/I8jBzXZZLZ
— NFL Update (@MySportsUpdate) February 10, 2021
Chris Godwin’s fiancé shared an incredible video of the risky throw and catch from a different angle.
This angle of Tom Brady throwing the Lombardi Trophy to Gronk's boat 😳
— ESPN (@espn) February 10, 2021
(via _misstwelve/Instagram) pic.twitter.com/0WtkbXtrKh
Once the trophy made it over to Gronkowski’s boat, receiver Mike Evans grabbed it and began to celebrate.

Evans played a little catch of his own — but not with the trophy.
He was spotted tossing a football to a crew of three fans riding alongside his boat in a Zodiac.
More Bucs fans just playing catch with Mike Evans ... pic.twitter.com/TLTKMM9Aaj
— Greg Auman (@gregauman) February 10, 2021
Locals were allowed to travel with the team along the parade route, so long as they stayed at least 50 feet away.
Hundreds turned out in ships of all sizes to celebrate Tampa Bay’s first NFL title since 2003.

And even more watched from shore. While masks have been required in Tampa’s downtown entertainment districts, the city has been struggling to force fans into compliance.
Bucs fans lined up along the riverwalk as Bucs boats move along. Biggest crowds at the start and finish. pic.twitter.com/MnHRtD4blF
— Greg Auman (@gregauman) February 10, 2021
When the parade arrived at Port Tampa Bay for the on-shore celebration, it appeared that Brady might be a little wobbly after a couple hours on his yacht.
He was helped along to the stage by backup quarterback Ryan Griffin, as shown in the video below.
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I guess his sea legs aren’t what they used to be... pic.twitter.com/44K42bWPMe
— Joey Knight (@TBTimes_Bulls) February 10, 2021
(UPDATE: Brady is, in the words of Jamie Foxx, blaming it on the alcohol.)
Noting to see her...just litTle avoCado tequila https://t.co/vew2otBw5T
— Tom Brady (@TomBrady) February 10, 2021
A Buccaneers staffer shared a video of Brady celebrating with safety Antoine Winfield Jr., mimicking the peace sign Winfield taunted Chiefs running back Tyreek Hill with during Sunday’s game.
Brady and Antoine 🙌🙌🙌 pic.twitter.com/1ayYEhvX2L
— Carmen Vitali (@CarmieV) February 10, 2021
In tow with Brady was his daughter, Vivian.
Meanwhile, Brady’s social team made quick work of a celebration video, cutting in clips of him holding the trophy after the parade with footage from the game as Eminem’s “Without Me” plays.
“Yeah, we’re coming back,” Brady says in the video, before it cuts to him chucking the Lombardi Trophy to Gronkowski’s boat.
— Tom Brady (@TomBrady) February 10, 2021
Bruce Arians had some choice words when speaking to the crowd assembled on shore, saying that he’s been to a lot of parties.
“Ain’t nothing compared to this one.”
There were 18 speeches planned for the on-shore celebration, which quickly devolved into a dance party for the players on stage.
Undistilled revelry #GoBucs pic.twitter.com/xMFQQ8rudb
— Joey Knight (@TBTimes_Bulls) February 10, 2021
Here are some more highlights from social media:
A look at some of the yachts you’ll be seeing Bucs players, coaches and front office staff members on today. @CaptainFear gets his own. pic.twitter.com/Xo8k34hPZJ
— JennaLaineESPN (@JennaLaineESPN) February 10, 2021
.@RobGronkowski just said someone might need to take him out of here on an ambulance. pic.twitter.com/EO5AP1Igfk
— JennaLaineESPN (@JennaLaineESPN) February 10, 2021
You guys...@AntoineWJr11 isn’t playing... pic.twitter.com/qjROFSxqAW
— JennaLaineESPN (@JennaLaineESPN) February 10, 2021
#GoBucs GM Jason Licht arrives at the boat docks near Amature Works carrying a 12-pack of beer. #Bucsboatparade pic.twitter.com/NLOw1lkU00
— Rick Stroud (@NFLSTROUD) February 10, 2021
Tom Brady has arrived in his new $2-million Super Bowl boat pic.twitter.com/DcEfflesru
— Kevin ODonnell Fox13 (@ODonnellFox13) February 10, 2021
Bruce Arians and Jason Licht are up at the front of the Bucs boat parade ... pic.twitter.com/sdNY36MuWf
— Greg Auman (@gregauman) February 10, 2021
Here’s Tom Brady in the retro orange Bucs shirt. Arians and Licht now on his boat ... pic.twitter.com/KEsPRQs0ZR
— Greg Auman (@gregauman) February 10, 2021
The Gronk boat, with old-school Bucco Bruce flag, is an early leader in Bucs’ boat parade ... pic.twitter.com/WGSms0WxLn
— Greg Auman (@gregauman) February 10, 2021
#GoBucs TE Rob Gronkowski, Cam Brate, WR Scotty Miller, Mike Evans are rocking it. pic.twitter.com/yQYwtJcdLc
— Rick Stroud (@NFLSTROUD) February 10, 2021
Gronk boat and Brady boat (with Alex Guerrero) are staying close, as you might expect. pic.twitter.com/1hxxTiaqVX
— Greg Auman (@gregauman) February 10, 2021
Katie McInerney can be reached at katie.mcinerney@globe.com. Follow her @k8tmac.