Rob Gronkowski was one of the most dominant tight ends in NFL history. He was a five-time Pro Bowler, four-time First-team All-Pro, and three-time Super Bowl champion with the New England Patriots. But after nine seasons with the team, Gronkowski announced his retirement from football on March 24, 2019.
Gronkowski cited his “passion for the game” as one of the main reasons why he decided to retire. “I’m really thankful for everything — you know, my health, my career,” Gronkowski said during a press conference. “I’ve been through a lot in nine years.”
Injuries were certainly a factor in Gronkowski’s decision to retire. He missed significant time due to back and forearm injuries throughout his career. In 2017, he suffered a season-ending ACL tear in his right knee.
And last season, he dealt with nagging back and ankle injuries that limited him to just nine games.
It’s been a little over a week since news broke that Rob Gronkowski was retiring from the NFL, and fans are still trying to figure out why. The New England Patriots tight end had one of the most successful careers in recent memory, winning three Super Bowls and making five Pro Bowl appearances. So why would he walk away from the game at just 29 years old?
There are a few theories floating around. One is that Gronkowski simply doesn’t have the same passion for football as he used to. After nine seasons, countless hits, and numerous injuries, it’s understandable why he might be feeling burnt out.
Another theory is that Gronkowski is worried about his long-term health and doesn’t want to risk further injury by playing any longer. This makes sense given his history of concussions and other serious injuries.
Whatever the reason, it’s clear that Gronkowski is ready to move on from football.
And while Patriot fans will miss him dearly, we respect his decision and wish him all the best in whatever comes next.
Why Did Gronk Retire from the Patriots?
On March 24th, Rob Gronkowski announced his retirement from the NFL after nine seasons, all with the New England Patriots. In a statement released through Instagram, Gronkowski said he was “grateful for the opportunity to be part of such an incredible organization” and that he “wouldn’t be able to do it without the support of my family and friends.” He also thanked Patriots owner Robert Kraft and head coach Bill Belichick for their “belief in me.”
Gronkowski’s decision to retire comes as a bit of a surprise, as he had just signed a contract extension with the Patriots last offseason. However, it’s worth noting that Gronkowski has dealt with a number of injuries throughout his career, including back and forearm surgeries. He missed eight games over the past two seasons due to injury, and there was speculation that he was considering retirement even before this season.
It’s unclear what Gronkowski will do now that he’s retired from football. He has indicated that he wants to stay involved with the game in some capacity, but it remains to be seen if that will be as a coach or commentator. For now, though, we can only thank him for his many contributions to the game and wish him well in whatever he decides to do next.
Did Gronk Retire before Brady Left the Patriots?
No, Gronk did not retire before Brady left the Patriots. In fact, Brady announced his departure from the team on March 17, 2020, while Gronkowski announced his retirement on March 24, 2020.
When Did Gronkowski Come Out of Retirement?
Rob Gronkowski officially came out of retirement on April 19, 2020. The announcement was made via Instagram, with a post that read: “I’m back because I love the game. I miss the game dearly. I had to retire because of my injuries, and it just sucked. It was a hard decision to make, but I had to do what’s best for me and my family.”
Gronkowski had originally retired following the 2018 season after nine years in the NFL, during which time he became one of the most dominant tight ends in league history.
He was a five-time Pro Bowler and four-time First-Team All-Pro, and he helped the New England Patriots win three Super Bowls.
However, rumors of a potential return began swirling early in 2020, as Gronkowski hinted at making a comeback during several interviews. In February, he even said that he was “thinking about it daily” and that there was “a real possibility” he would come out of retirement.
Those rumors were finally put to rest when Gronkowski announced his return to the NFL on April 19th. It remains to be seen what kind of impact he will have on the league in 2020, but there’s no doubt that Gronkowski is one of the most talented tight ends ever to play the game.
Did Gronkowski Quit Football?
No, Rob Gronkowski has not quit football. There was a report that he was considering retirement, but Gronkowski quickly shut that down. He is still under contract with the Patriots and has said that he plans on playing next season.
When Did Gronk Retire
Rob Gronkowski, also known by his nickname “Gronk,” is a former American football tight end. He played college football at the University of Arizona, and was drafted by the New England Patriots in the second round of the 2010 NFL Draft. He played his entire professional career with the Patriots, winning three Super Bowls and earning five Pro Bowl selections.
On March 24, 2019, Gronkowski announced his retirement from the NFL after nine seasons. In his announcement, he stated that he had “achieved everything” he had set out to do in his career.
During his time with the Patriots, Gronkowski became one of the most dominant tight ends in NFL history.
He set numerous league records, including most touchdowns by a tight end in a season (17), most receiving yards by a tight end in a season (1,176), and most receptions by a tight end in a Super Bowl (12). He was also named First-team All-Pro four times and Second-team All-Pro once.
Gronkowski’s retirement came as a surprise to many people because he was only 29 years old and still in the prime of his career.
However, it is clear that he leaves behind an incredible legacy as one of the greatest tight ends to ever play the game.
Conclusion
In a recent blog post, Rob Gronkowski announced his retirement from the New England Patriots. Gronkowski cited various reasons for his decision, including the toll that football has taken on his body and the desire to pursue other interests.
