Buccaneers: Tom Brady Shares Emotional Reaction After Rob Gronkowski’s Retirement
Gronk is retiring... again.
On an Instagram post, Tampa Bay Buccaneers tight end and 4-time NFL champion Rob Gronkowski announced his retirement. Gronkowski has played for the league for 11 seasons, winning four Super Bowls with legendary quarterback Tom Brady. He won three with the New England Patriots and one with Tampa Bay.
Rob Gronkowski first retired back in 2019 after nine seasons with the Patriots. He came out of retirement after one season before being traded to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers to reunite with teammate and friend Tom Brady.
He started his NFL career in 2010 as the 42nd pick by the Patriots. He would have a breakout year in 2011, en route to winning three rings with the organization. He decided to retire due to injuries.
Rob Gronkowski's Agent Believes He Will Return If Tom Brady Asks
In his retirement post, Gronkowski wrote that he will go back to retirement and walk away from football with his head held high. He stated that he gave it everything every time he stepped on the field. He would also look back at the relationships he has formed along the way, saying that he would appreciate every single one of his coaches and teammates, as well as thank them.
While Gronk has been very clear that he intends to retire, his agent, Drew Rosenhaus, told ESPN's Adam Schefter that he believes he might come out of retirement again. Rosenhaus says that he won't be surprised if Tom Brady calls him and asks him to come back, and he would not be surprised if he does so.
According to ESPN, it was Tom Brady who got Gronkowski out of retirement in 2020 to play with his old teammate once again. But this time, they were playing for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, winning one Super Bowl together for the Florida-based team.
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Tom Brady Pays Tribute to Rob Gronkowski Following Retirement Announcement
While it was Tom Brady who was responsible for bringing Gronk out of retirement, the legendary quarterback paid tribute to his friend and teammate on a post via Instagram.
Brady wrote that Rob Gronkowski embodied the idea of "leaving it all out on the field." He also said that he was also great outside the field, emphasizing how "FUN" he was and how it was fantastic having him in the locker room. Finally, he congratulated Gronkowski on his retirement.
ESPN pointed out how different both players were. While Rob Gronkowski was playful and fun-loving, Tom Brady was intense and methodical. However, despite this, the two still formed a close connection both on and off the field. Gronkowski himself credits Brady for setting the expectations for his career.
According to CBS News, Gronkowski caught 55 passes for 802 yards last year, in addition to six touchdowns. He will retire having caught 719 passes for 10,675 yards, as well as 107 touchdowns.
He has also made the First-Team All-Pro four times, became a Pro Bowler five times, and of course, won the Super Bowl four times, all with Tom Brady.
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Written by: Rick Martin
WATCH: BREAKING: End of the NFL for Gronk after retirement announcement