Yup, I had to explain this to some Pats fans, using a criminal justice analogy.
Yes, assault is identified in the same category, but there are stricter punishments handed down due to the evidence, intent behind the assault, and so on.
JuJu's was in the middle of the play and yet still a dirty play,but it was between the lines. Gronk's was when the play was dead, and had nothing to do with football at that moment. He lined him up, and took his shot.