Five-time Pro Bowl and
four-time All-Pro tight end Rob Gronkowski has called it quits for the second
time, following 11 NFL seasons and 4 Super Bowl championships.
Rob Gronkowski retires for the second time
After a celebrated NFL career that has spanned 11 seasons, four-time All-Pro tight end Rob Gronkowski, who was a five-time Pro Bowler and who set several NFL records, for the second time has announced his retirement.
Future NFL Hall of Fame tight end Rob "Gronk" Gronkowski began his career in 2010 after being drafted by the New England Patriots. The 6-6, 270-pound athlete with sure hands and playmaking ability would go on to be a major factor in four Super Bowl victories, three with the Patriots and one with the Buccaneers, Yahoo! Sports reported.
The NFL posted a video showing the Top 5 plays of Gronkowski's career, and whittling it down to only five, no doubt, leaves so much out.
Gronkowski's first retirement
Gronkowski initially retired in March 2019, after nine seasons, stating that pain and injuries had taken a toll on his mental health. But Gronkowski reversed his decision, coming out of retirement in April 2020, by signing a one-year deal with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers worth $10 million. The team got its money's worth, advancing to the Super Bowl that year.
In 2020, Gronkowski became the first NFL player to catch a pass in five different Super Bowls, hauling in two of the three touchdown passes thrown by Tom Brady, as the Buccaneers defeated the Chiefs 31-9 and Super Bowl LV.
Brady congratulates Gronkowski
Tom Brady, a long-time teammate of Gronkowski with both the Patriots and Buccaneers, congratulated his former teammate on a career well done, CBS reported. It would be hard to find a better quarterback/tight-end duo than Brady and Gronkowski.
"Teammate, friend, brother, just a few of the words that come to mind when I think of Gronk," Brady wrote on his Facebook page. "Nobody has ever embodied the idea of 'leaving it all on the field' like Rob has throughout his entire career. Every single snap, I knew that no matter how many people you put in front of him, he was going to get to his spot."
"I'm proud of all that we've accomplished together, and even more excited for all you have in front of you," Brady added. "Congrats Gronk, you deserve it."
Gronkowski's football career and legacy
Gronkowski played college football at the University of Arizona, where he won several awards and was named freshman All-American. He missed his junior year due to back surgery but was drafted after playing only two years of college ball. Gronk was the second-round draft pick and the 42nd overall pick in the 2010 NFL Draft.
Pro career legacy and records
Rob Gronkowski was selected as part of the NFL 2010s All-Decade Team and the NFL 100th Anniversary All-Time Team.
Gronkowski was the first tight end to lead the NFL in receiving touchdowns (2011); the most touchdown receptions in a season (2011); most touchdowns in a season (2011). He achieved the most 100-yard games by a tight end in NFL history; most seasons with 10+ touchdowns by a tight end (5); most career average receiving yards per game for a tight end (68.3),
Postseason NFL records
Most Super Bowl receptions by a tight end (23); most Super Bowl receiving yards by a tight end (297); most postseason receiving touchdowns by a tight end (15); first tight end in NFL history with 1000+ career postseason receiving yards; most career postseason receiving yards by a tight end (1,163).