Kentucky State Police apologize for Super Bowl tweet that alluded to prison rape

FRANKFORT, Ky. -- Kentucky State Police have apologized for a Super Bowl-themed tweet aimed at discouraging drunken driving that referenced prison rape. News outlets report the official state police account tweeted "Enjoy watching Rob Gronkowski (TE) play but if you drink & drive ... your tight-end may end up in jail!" on Sunday night, accompanying the post with a gif of a dropped soap on a rope.

Gronkowski is a tight end for the New England Patriots, who eventually lost to the Philadelphia Eagles 41-33 in Super Bowl LII. It was the first Super Bowl crown in the team's history.

The tweet, which remained up for nearly two hours, drew condemnation from Kentucky's Secretary of State Alison Lundergan Grimes, who called for an apology.

The agency later posted a statement, saying "making light of sexual assault is never acceptable," and apologized especially "to the victims of these heinous crimes."