Patriots
The Gillette crowd erupted when Gronkowski appeared on the video board for Wallen's stadium walkout.
Rob Gronkowski warmed up the Gillette Stadium crowd on Saturday night. (Photo by Bryan Bedder/Getty Images for Fanatics)
The sight of a packed Gillette Stadium crowd roaring for Rob Gronkowski was a Sunday afternoon routine for nearly a decade in the 2010s. On Saturday night, he drew one more eruption.
Gronkowski appeared at Gillette for night two of Morgan Wallen’s concert in Foxborough. Wallen’s introduction includes a special guest walking him out from the back towards the stage area; Friday night’s show featured New England’s current coach, Mike Vrabel. And on Saturday night, Gronkowski appeared on the video board, Patriots-themed guitar in hand and wearing a jersey with the number 617 across the front, to walk with Wallen.
Gronkowski didn’t just strut down to the stage, though. In vintage “Gronk” fashion, he handed Wallen the guitar, who then threw it back to him like a football. Gronkowski spiked that guitar straight into the ground on his way to the stage.
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Watch Wallen and Gronkowski’s walkout here:
Gronkowski’s appearance comes off the back of him teasing that he might soon sign a one-day contract to officially retire a Patriot. He established his status as one of the greatest tight ends in NFL history with the Patriots, but followed Tom Brady to Tampa Bay and finished his career there after previously retiring a Patriot.
Brady’s statue unveiling seemed to get the sentimental juices flowing for Gronkowski, who expressed his desire to retire in New England shortly after.
Of course, even in retirement, Gronkowski still has strong Patriots and NFL ties. He co-hosts a podcast with fellow former Patriot Julian Edelman, and is a regular on Fox NFL Sunday.
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Gronkowski also opened up the “Gronk Playground” in Boston this week, so he’s been an active member of the New England community once again.
Before Gronkowski officially puts pen to paper on his second Patriots retirement, he had some fun at Gillette Stadium once again. And the Foxborough crowd loved the surprise.
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