New England Patriots legend Rob Gronkowski
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New England Patriots legend Rob Gronkowski announced he'll be formally retiring as a member of the team that drafted him.
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.