The NFL’s token frat boy has retired once again. Rob Gronkowski’s 11-year football career has come to a close as he announced his retirement via Instagram this afternoon. The 33-year-old future Hall of Fame tight end had been publicly contemplating retirement after this past season with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and has made up his mind.
This is not the first time Gronk has retired from football. Back in 2018, Gronkowski retired due to injuries then departing from the New England Patriots. However, his best friend and teammate Tom Brady was able to convince him to come play with him in Tampa in 2020, resulting in a Super Bowl where Gronk caught two crucial touchdowns.
In a retirement statement, Gronkowski said “I want to thank the whole entire first class Buccaneers organization for an amazing ride, trusting me to come back to play and help build a championship team. 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.”
Despite his seriousness in the statement, Gronk’s own agent is skeptical this retirement is permanent, suggesting Brady may be able to tempt his favorite target to come back once again. “”It would not surprise me if Tom Brady calls him during the season to come back and Rob answers the call,” Gronkowski’s agent Drew Rosenhaus said. “This is just my opinion, but I wouldn’t be surprised if Rob comes back during the season or next season.”
Gronkowski, who was a second round pick in 2010 out of Arizona, finishes his career with 92 touchdowns which is third all-time for tight ends and 12th all-time overall. He is a four-time first-team All-Pro and five-time Pro Bowler.
Whether or not this is actually it for Gronk, it’s safe to say he will most likely be celebrating the decision shirtless with a keg and his brothers.
