On FOX NFL Kickoff, Patriots legend and future Hall of Famer Rob Gronkowski announced he will be signing a one day contract to officially retire as a New England Patriot. He’s expected to sign the contract this week.
Over the summer, after the Tom Brady statue was unveiled at Gillette Stadium, Gronkowski spoke to the media and said he planned to sign a one day contract so he could officially retire with the Patriots.
“Come back for a day, a weekend, whatever it is. So we’ll make it happen, and it’ll be a really, really cool moment,” Gronkowski told reporters via Boston.com. “It’s going to happen. We just don’t know when.”
He told reporters that it was not his idea but rather that of Charity Teams founder Susan Hurley, who went to Patriots owner Robert Kraft with the proposal. Charity Teams is the foundation that helped fund the Gronk Playground and has worked with Gronkowski in the past.
Before Week 10, Rob Gronkowski made it official himself.
“I am signing a one-day contract with the Patriots this week, coming up to retire as a Patriot for life, just like all of you out here. So, I’m going with the Patriots.” Gronk said, while also taking a jab at his old mate. “But I know Tom is still bitter,” he added, “The Patriots let him go for his final three seasons in the NFL. So, he’s secretly rooting for the Buccaneers.
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Gronkowski obviously did so much for New England, not only on the field but also off it. On the field, the three time Super Bowl champion recorded 521 receptions for 7,861 yards and 80 touchdowns in nine years. Gronkowski was one of Tom Brady’s favorite targets, and his personality will be remembered in Foxboro for years to come.
At 36, he stands alone atop the record books with 32 career 100 yard games and 93 touchdowns, both the most ever by a tight end.
The New England Patriots have yet to confirm the announcement, but a formal press release is expected shortly.
My name is Ben Belford-Peltzman and I am the creator and writer of The Patriots Beat. I am a 19-year kid who is an optimistic pessimist about the City of Champions. I started The Patriots Beat in August of 2022 and never expected to grow so much but here we are. Feel free to email Ben.BelfordPeltzman@gmail.com with any inquires.
