On Sunday, former NFL tight end and FOX analyst Rob Gronkowski announced that he would formally retire from professional football. Gronkowski hasn't played since the 2021 season with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, but he will retire with the team he spent the majority of his career - the New England Patriots.
Gronkowski will sign a one-day contract to retire as a Patriot, and the team will hold a special ceremony to commemorate the occasion on Wednesday.
The legendary tight end and future Hall of Famer is choosing to retire as a Patriot to honor a late friend who recently died after a battle with cancer.
The greatest tight end in @NFL history is retiring a Patriot!
Watch @RobGronkowski sign his one-day contract this Wednesday at 12:15 PM LIVE on Patriots digital & social. pic.twitter.com/fXOwNHDtFq
— New England Patriots (@Patriots) November 10, 2025
Gronkowski's Friend Makes a Request
Susan Hurley, a philanthropist in the New England region, developed a friendship with Gronkowski as he assisted with charity work during his stint with the team. In August, Gronkowski said that his $1.8 million donation for a playground in Boston was inspired by Hurley.
"Can we just make it official and sign him for a day so he can retire as a Patriot?," Hurley said that day. She died earlier this month at the age of 62 after her fight against ovarian cancer.
Patriots owner Robert Kraft - who planned to honor Gronkowski next year when he was eligible for the team Hall of Fame - was on board with expediting the ceremony in Hurley's honor.
Rob Gronkowski's Incredible NFL Career
Gronkowski spent the first nine seasons of his career with the Patriots, who selected him in the second round of the 2010 NFL Draft. He won three Super Bowl titles with the team, and was an integral part of the second half of the Patriots' dynasty in the mid-2010s.
Gronkowski set records with quarterback Tom Brady and became a beloved fan favorite around the league, even as the Patriots were one of its most hated teams. Fans enjoyed Gronkowski's fun-loving personality, a stark contrast to the more buttoned-up Brady and Bill Belichick.
After Brady left for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the 2020 season, Gronkowski followed. The duo helped the Buccaneers win the Super Bowl in their first season with the team, and Gronkowski caught two touchdowns from Brady to take the postseason record for a QB-receiver duo.
The former Arizona Wildcat has been named to the NFL's 100th anniversary team, and will go into both the New England and Pro Football Halls of Fame. On Wednesday, Gronkowski will also honor a beloved friend who wished to see him retire in the region where he's helped so many.
This story was originally reported by Men's Journal on Nov 10, 2025, where it first appeared in the Sports section. Add Men's Journal as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
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