Four-Time Super Bowl Champion Rob Gronkowski Announced His Retirement

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers' tight end Rob Gronkowski (87) in 2021
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers' tight end Rob Gronkowski (87) in 2021. Photo by John Mersits/CSM/Shutterstock (12622089w)

Over the course of the past 11 seasons in the NFL, Rob “Gronk” Gronkowski built a reputation as one of the greatest tight ends in history – but all good things must come to an end. The four-time Super Bowl champion announced his retirement on Tuesday via social media.

This isn’t the first time Gronk announced he’s stepping away from football, but it doesn’t seem he’ll be coming back this time around. He initially retired after ending his run with the New England Patriots in 2018 but was later traded to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, where he reunited with Tom Brady and won the final Super Bowl of his career.

Gronk revealed he’s stepping away from football in a lengthy social media statement, where he thanked the Buccaneers for trusting him 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,” wrote Gronkowski.

During his time with the Patriots, Gronk won three Super Bowl titles and became a five-time Pro Bowl selection. He also set several NFL records, including most receiving touchdowns and most total touchdowns in a season by a tight end.