Patriots TE Rob Gronkowski Retiring From NFL

Update:

Here are the statements from Patriots owner Robert Kraft and HC Bill Belichick regarding Ron Gronkowski’s retirement. 

Statement from Robert Kraft on @RobGronkowski. pic.twitter.com/l9bLZ4zLEs

— New England Patriots (@Patriots) March 25, 2019

Statement from Bill Belichick on @RobGronkowski. pic.twitter.com/aSivcAkF3u

— New England Patriots (@Patriots) March 25, 2019

Patriots TE Rob Gronkowski announced his retirement from the NFL on Sunday, via his Instagram account.

 

 

 

 

 

 

View this post on Instagram

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

It all started at 20 years old on stage at the NFL draft when my dream came true, and now here I am about to turn 30 in a few months with a decision I feel is the biggest of my life so far. I will be retiring from the game of football today. I am so grateful for the opportunity that Mr. Kraft and Coach Belichick gave to me when drafting my silliness in 2010. My life experiences over the last 9 years have been amazing both on and off the field. The people I have meet, the relationships I have built, the championships I have been apart of, I just want to thank the whole New England Patriots organization for every opportunity I have been giving and learning the great values of life that I can apply to mine. Thank you to all of Pats Nation around the world for the incredible support since I have been apart of this 1st class organization. Thank you for everyone accepting who I am and the dedication I have put into my work to be the best player I could be. But now its time to move forward and move forward with a big smile knowing that the New England Patriots Organization, Pats Nation, and all my fans will be truly a big part of my heart for rest of my life. It was truly an incredible honor to play for such a great established organization and able to come in to continue and contribute to keep building success. To all my current and past teammates, thank you for making each team every year special to be apart of. I will truly miss you guys. Cheers to all who have been part of this journey, cheers to the past for the incredible memories, and a HUGE cheers to the uncertain of whats next.

A post shared by Rob Gronkowski (@gronk) on Mar 24, 2019 at 2:53pm PDT

Here’s a statement from Gronkowski’s agent, Drew Rosenhaus, regarding the news:

“Congratulations to Rob on a Hall of Fame Career. As great a player he has been, he is an even better person. His impact on and off the field have been gigantic and he will be remembered as one of the All time legends of the game!”

Gronkowski had been mulling over the possibility this offseason and it appears as though he felt it was time to call it a career and move on. 

Reports from last year said that Gronkowski could pursue an acting career after playing in the NFL, but he elected to return for the 2018 season and helped the Patriots win another Super Bowl. 

Gronkowski could be a first-ballot Hall of Famer in the coming years. 

Gronkowski, 29, is a former second-round pick of the Patriots back in 2010. He was in the sixth year of his eight-year, $55.23 million contract that included $13.17 million guaranteed.

The Patriots will likely place Gronkowski on the reserve/retired list in the coming days, which ensure that they hold his rights should he elect to return at some point. 

For his career, Gronkowski caught 521 passes for 7,861 yards receiving and 79 touchdowns for the Patriots over the course of nine seasons and 115 games. He as a five-time Pro Bowler and a made four first-team All-Pros. He was also the Comeback Player of the Year in 2014.