Rob Gronkowski is highly regarded as one of the best tight ends in the NFL, and now he’ll get to be celebrated for his remarkable 11-season career when he officially retires as a New England Patriot.
Gronkowski, who spent his final two seasons playing for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers before stepping away from football in 2021, will sign a one-day contract to retire as a Patriot, the team that drafted him in 2010. The decision comes as a heartfelt tribute to a close friend who recently lost her battle with cancer.
Rob Gronkowski Signs 1-Day Deal to Retire as a Patriot, Honoring Late Friend
On Wednesday, Nov. 12, Rob Gronkowski will officially retire as a New England Patriot. According to ESPN, the former tight end announced the news while working as a Fox Sports Analyst on Sunday. He will sign a ceremonial one-day contract with his former team after it was suggested by a close family friend, Susan Hurley, who died of ovarian cancer on Nov. 1.
Gronkowski and Hurley developed a close friendship thanks to his work with several charities in the New England area, including helping to fund a playground. At the time, Gronkowski recalled Hurley telling him, “Can we just make it official and sign him for a day so he can retire as a Patriot?”
According to the outlet, Patriots owner Robert Kraft had long planned for Gronk to sign a one-day contract, but after hearing the story about his friend Hurley, he agreed that now was the perfect time to make it happen.
“I like that a lot, and the reason that we’re really going to do that is because of Susan Hurley,” he shared.
After Hurley’s death, Gronkowski penned a touching tribute to her on Instagram, praising her work as a philanthropist and her strength as she battled cancer.
Gronkowski’s Career Highlights
Rob Gronkowski played college football at Arizona University and was drafted by the New England Patriots in the second round, 42nd overall, of the 2010 NFL Draft.
In his 11-season career, Gronk won four Super Bowls, three of which were with the Patriots and one while playing with the Buccaneers. His personal accolades include being a 4x First-team All-Pro, 5x Pro Bowler, and a member of the NFL 100th Anniversary All-Time Team.
Gronk’s records include the most total touchdowns in a season by a tight end and the most receiving touchdowns by a tight end. Over the course of his football career, Gronkowski had over 9,000 receiving yards and 92 touchdowns.
Gronkowski has been working as a full-time analyst for Fox NFL Sunday, taking over for Jimmy Johnson.
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