Reigning Super Bowl champions the New England Patriots were invited to the White House on Wednesday (local time) to be honoured by US President Donald Trump - but one player took the opportunity to grab the headlines for himself.
Tight end Rob Gronkowski, a player seen as a key component of the Patriots' title-winning squad, is known for his quick wit and cheek - and he wasted no time causing mayhem by interrupting a news conference with the press corps.
The 27-year-old poked his head around a screen behind press secretary Sean Spicer's podium and, very nonchalantly, asked him, "You need some help?"
Mr Spicer, who was clearly in shock at the NFL star's sudden appearance, responded with: "I think I got this, but thank you."
Gronkowski asked him if he was sure, and when Mr Spicer reiterated his initial response, he told him he'd let him get on with it, to which Mr Spicer said: "Alright, thanks man. I'll see you in a minute."
In Gronkowski's absence, Mr Spicer could hardly hide how excited he was by the incident.
"Hold on one second," he said, as he desperately tried to conceal his smile. "Alright, that was cool. How do you follow that?"
The New England Patriots met with President Trump in the Oval Office, where they got photos with him. Star quarterback Tom Brady, who drew controversy over his friendship with Mr Trump, was not in attendance.
Newshub.
