Tom Brady refused to leave game until he helped Rob Gronkowski earn a $500,000 bonus

• Tom Brady stayed in the last game of the season to make one more play to Rob Gronkowski.
• Brady helped Gronkowski get his 55th reception of the season, triggering a $500,000 bonus.

Tom Brady and Rob Gronkowski added another chapter to their legacy when the 44-year-old quarterback helped his tight end's bank account.

In the fourth quarter of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers' Week 18 win over the Carolina Panthers, cameras caught Brady on the sidelines grabbing his helmet and appearing to tell members of the team that he wasn't leaving the game.

As Tony Romo speculated on the broadcast, it appeared Brady was trying to help Gronkowski reach 55 receptions on the season, which triggered a $500,000 bonus.

Moments later, Brady hit Gronkowski with a short pass on the sideline for seven yards, his 55th of the season, triggering the bonus.

Here's a video of the moments spliced together:

Two plays later, backup quarterback Blaine Gabbert was in the game for Brady.

Brady also helped Antonio Brown earn bonus money last season by throwing three straight passes to him. (Brown only seemed mildly appreciative).

Gronkowski actually earned $1 million in bonus money on Sunday, as he also earned a $500,000 bonus for reaching 750 receiving yards on the season.

After the game, Gronkowski said it was satisfying to hit his incentives, joking that he would take the backup quarterbacks and tight ends out to dinner — but not Brady.

"It was really nice to get it," Gronkowski said. "Hitting incentives is cool. The Buccaneers are a great organization, putting me in a position where I can hit those incentives, which is awesome. I love playing here. I love playing for this organization. It's cool to hit those.

"I'm going to have to bring out all the tight ends to dinner. A couple of the quarterbacks — I don't bring Tom out, I'll bring the backups out to dinner."