Rob Gronkowski, one of the best tight ends in the history of the NFL, announced his retirement on Tuesday. This is the second time Gronkowski is stepping away from professional football.
Gronkowski, who spent the past two seasons with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, announced the news via social media.
” … I will now be going back into my retirement home, walking away from football again with my head held high knowing I gave it everything I had, good or bad, every time I stepped out on the field,” Gronkowski wrote in a statement.
Gronkowski initially retired after the 2018 season and Super Bowl LIII win with the New England Patriots. But just one year later, Gronk changed his mind and reunited with Pats’ teammate Tom Brady in Tampa Bay with the Buccaneers. The duo won another Super Bowl in their first year with the franchise before being eliminated in Divisional Round last season.
While being non-committal to playing in the past few months, many believed Gronkowski would end up playing this season due to high interest in his services. The chances of this happening especially went up when Brady decided to return for another run with the Bucs in 2022. However, it turns out Gronk has other plans in mind.
It is worth noting that Gronkowski’s agent Drew Rosenhaus believes the five-time Pro Bowler could still play at some point in the future despite retirement.
“It would not surprise me if Tom Brady calls him during the season to come back and Rob answers the call,” Drew Rosenhaus told ESPN’s Adam Schefter. “This is just my opinion, but I wouldn’t be surprised if Rob comes back during the season or next season.”
