Rob Gronkowski Announces Retirement from NFL

By
Amanda C
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Rob Gronkowski with the Patriots in 2017.
Rob Gronkowski with the Patriots in 2017. Photo by Stephen Lew/CSM/REX/Shutterstock (9065478cs)

After nine years of dominating his position and re-defining the concept of the modern tight end, Rob Gronkowski has decided to call it quits.

The former Patriots tight end announced his retirement from football on Sunday at the age of 29.

Gronkowski made his decision public in a reflective and emotional Instagram post published on his account.

View this post on Instagram

It all started at 20 years old on stage at the NFL draft when my dream came true, and now here I am about to turn 30 in a few months with a decision I feel is the biggest of my life so far. I will be retiring from the game of football today. I am so grateful for the opportunity that Mr. Kraft and Coach Belichick gave to me when drafting my silliness in 2010. My life experiences over the last 9 years have been amazing both on and off the field. The people I have meet, the relationships I have built, the championships I have been apart of, I just want to thank the whole New England Patriots organization for every opportunity I have been giving and learning the great values of life that I can apply to mine. Thank you to all of Pats Nation around the world for the incredible support since I have been apart of this 1st class organization. Thank you for everyone accepting who I am and the dedication I have put into my work to be the best player I could be. But now its time to move forward and move forward with a big smile knowing that the New England Patriots Organization, Pats Nation, and all my fans will be truly a big part of my heart for rest of my life. It was truly an incredible honor to play for such a great established organization and able to come in to continue and contribute to keep building success. To all my current and past teammates, thank you for making each team every year special to be apart of. I will truly miss you guys. Cheers to all who have been part of this journey, cheers to the past for the incredible memories, and a HUGE cheers to the uncertain of whats next.

A post shared by Rob Gronkowski (@gronk) on

Gronkowski will go down as one of the best players at his position in the history of the game. Since being drafted in the second round by the Patriots back in 2010, Gronkowski was named to five Pro Bowls and made four first-team All-Pro lists.

He finishes his career with 521 receptions, 7,861 receiving yards, and 79 receiving touchdowns. He even led the league in touchdown receptions one season, when he finished with 17 in 2011.

He also has three Super Bowl rings after winning the game with his team in 2015, 2017, and 2019.

The affable, fun-loving University of Arizona graduate had struggled with various injuries in recent years, possibly a factor that influenced his decision to call it quits. He suffered a thigh, hip, and lung injury in recent seasons.

Gronkowski might go down in history as the top tight end in the history of football. But now, that career has come to an end.