Technically, New England Patriots legend Rob Gronkowski has yet to retire. That changes this week, and he’ll do so with the help of his first team.
The legendary tight end hasn’t played since 2021, but he’ll formally hang them up on Wednesday, Nov. 12, as a member of the Patriots, he announced during the FOX pregame show ahead of Week 10.
According to Gronkowski, he’ll sign a one-day contract to retire with the team that first took a chance on him out of Arizona way back in 2010.
“Here’s some news first, everyone,” Gronkowski said Sunday in front of a crowd of soldiers as part of FOX’s Veterans Day tribute. “I am signing a one-day contract with the Patriots this week coming up to retire as Patriot and be a Patriot for life just like all of you out here.”
Rob Gronkowski Signing One-Day Contract to Retire With Patriots
Gronkowski also picked the Patriots to win their game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, the team for which Gronkowski played the final two seasons of his legendary career.
The Patriots, amid basking in the glow of their impressive road win at Tampa Bay, confirmed the announcement a day later.
“The greatest tight end in NFL history is retiring a Patriot!” the team said in a social media post, also revealing the club will broadcast the event live on Nov. 12 at 12:15 p.m. ET.
Gronkowski, as the Patriots noted, is considered by many as the greatest tight end to ever play the game. He was freakishly athletic, especially for a 6-foot-6, 265-pound monster. He was an incredible run blocker but also an insanely talented pass-catcher, who excelled everywhere on the field and especially near the goal line.
Rob Gronkowski’s Remarkable Impact on Patriots, NFL History
Gronkowski technically has retired, at least once formally, following the 2018 season. He took a year off before coming out of retirement to join Tom Brady in Tampa Bay. Had he called it quits and stayed retired after 2018, he would have been a lock for the Hall of Fame after four fist-team All-Pro selections and two Super Bowl rings. His catch against the Rams in Super Bowl LIII that set up the game-winning touchdown was one of the biggest plays in franchise history.
Gronkowski then made a major impact in Tampa, as well, catching 74 passes (including 11 touchdowns) over two regular seasons with Brady and the Bucs. Arguably his best game with Tampa Bay came in Super Bowl LV when he scored two touchdowns to help the Buccaneers win their second Lombardi Trophy over the Kansas City Chiefs.
Despite his stint in Tampa Bay and a half-decade away from Foxboro, Gronkowski has continued to make an impact in New England. Most recently, that came in downtown Boston, where the “Gronk Playground” was opened along the Charles River.
“Most importantly, this is for the kids,” he told reporters that day. “I had an unbelievable childhood growing up. I had friends to play with, I had teams to compete on, and go the right direction in life by playing so many sports, and that’s one of the reasons why I made it big time, why I made it here to the New England Patriots and won some Super Bowls.
“So, I just want to give back to the community here that accepted me and loved me from the very beginning and give back to all the kids so they have the same chance that I did growing up to be successful.”
Gronkowski is expected to be a surefire first-ballot Hall of Famer when he’s eligible in 2027.
Like Heavy Sports’s content? Be sure to follow us.
This article was originally published on Heavy Sports
The post Rob Gronkowski Reveals News to Bring Patriots Career Full Circle appeared first on Heavy Sports.