The former tight end plans to sign a ceremonial one-day contract with the Patriots on Nov. 12 so he can "retire as a Patriot for life"
Rob Gronkowski attends the launch of the 2025 Issue of Sports Illustrated Swimsuit at Hard Rock Hotel New York on May 15, 2025 in New York City.
Rob Gronkowski in May 2025.
Rob Gronkowski is going to retire as a New England Patriot — even though he'll only be on the team for one day
The former tight end, 36, plans to sign a ceremonial one-day contract with the Patriots on Nov. 12 so he can "retire as a Patriot for life" in honor of his late friend philanthropist Susan Hurley
Hurley was a longtime collaborator of Gronkowski's who said in August that she hoped to see him officially retire as a Patriot
Rob Gronkowski is going to retire as a New England Patriot — even though he'll only be on the team for one day.
On Monday, Nov. 10, the team announced that the former tight end, 36, planned to sign a ceremonial one-day contract with the Patriots on Wednesday so he can "retire as a Patriot for life."
Gronkowski's decision comes after the death of a close friend who died of cancer earlier this month — and one of her last wishes was to see him retire with the New England team.
According to ESPN, Gronkowski also confirmed the news on Sunday as part of his work as a Fox Sports analyst.
"I am signing a one-day contract with the Patriots this week coming up to retire as a Patriot and be a Patriot for life," he announced during this week's broadcast.
Rob Gronkowski #87 of the New England Patriots in action against the New York Jets on November 25, 2018 at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey. The Patriots defeated the Jets 27-13.
Rob Gronkowski #87 of the New England Patriots in action against the New York Jets on November 25, 2018 at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey. The Patriots defeated the Jets 27-13.
According to ESPN, the ceremonial contract was suggested by philanthropist Susan Hurley, who died after a battle with ovarian cancer on Nov. 1. She was 62.
Hurley and Gronkowski developed a close friendship over the years through his extensive work with local charities in New England.
In August, Gronkowski was present for the unveiling of a new playground in Boston, Mass. that he helped to fund — and the tight end shared at the time that his $1.8 million donation was inspired by Hurley, according to ESPN. Hurley asked him at the time, "Can we just make it official and sign him for a day so he can retire as a Patriot?"
Patriots owner Robert Kraft had already planned to sign Gronkowski for a one-day contract, as he becomes eligible for induction into the team Hall of Fame in 2026, but endorsed the idea, telling ESPN: "I like that a lot, and the reason that we're really going to do that is because of Susan Hurley."
Rob Gronkowski and Susan HurleyRob Gronkowski and Susan Hurley
Rob Gronkowski and Susan Hurley.
Gronkowski — who was on the NFL's 100th Anniversary All-Time Team — played for the Patriots from 2010 to 2018 and was part of three Super Bowl championship teams with the team. He later finished his career in Florida with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during the 2020-2021 season, and took home anther winning another Super Bowl title with the team.
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The former tight end penned a lengthy message following Hurley's death, writing on social media that she always acted "out of love."
"Susan Hurley has known my family and I for a long time, she became a good friend of ours and supported our foundation more than words can express over the years," he wrote in part. "But even beyond our team, Susan took care of so many charity teams for the Boston Marathon and their bibs, helping raise so much money to give back to charities. She always did it out of love, her love of the game, her love of people, her love of helping others, and her love for the kids."
Gronkowski also recalled that Hurley "always had a smile on her face and the utmost positivity, staying an inspiration for runners and charities every single day, even while she was fighting cancer. Her strength and resilience were truly inspirational, and she will be greatly missed."