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Future Hall of Fame tight end Rob Gronkowski has declared that his playing days are over for good.
The 33-year-old retired from the NFL twice, with the second retirement coming after the 2021 season. Gronk, who won his fourth Super Bowl with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in 2020, said there’s no chance he’ll return to the field again.
Gronkowski, known for his tough playing style and skill as a blocker, spoke to TMZ.com about his retirement, saying, “There’s no chance anymore. I’m happily retired. I actually picked up pickleball.”
Despite still playing at a high level in 2021, catching 55 passes for 802 yards and six touchdowns, Gronk is closing the door on a potential comeback due to the injuries he has sustained throughout his career.
In November of the 2022 season last year, Rob Gronkowski reportedly contacted the Buccaneers about playing, saying he was ‘bored‘ not playing football. But nothing ultimately materialized.
Gronkowski’s NFL career spanned 11 seasons, in which he played in 165 games including the playoffs. During this time, he caught 719 passes for 10,675 yards and 107 touchdowns. Gronk was also known for his exceptional blocking skills and is widely regarded as one of the best blockers from the tight end position.
Gronkowski’s first retirement came in 2019 after spending his entire career up to that point with the New England Patriots. However, he made a comeback in 2020 to join his best friend and GOAT quarterback Tom Brady with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. The reunion paid off, with the duo leading the Bucs to a Super Bowl victory in their first year together.
With his retirement now final, Gronkowski’s name will soon be added to the list of players eligible for the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2027. Given his impressive stats and contributions to the game, he is considered a likely first-ballot inductee.
In conclusion, Rob Gronkowski has put an end to any rumors of a potential return to the NFL. Despite his early retirement and subsequent comeback, Gronk says he’s now happily retired and has even taken up pickleball. With his playing days behind him, the focus now shifts to his potential induction into the Hall of Fame, where his name will likely be etched in football history forever.