Gronk calls it a career

Gronk+mid-game

Gronk mid-game

On March 24, Rob Gronkowski announced his retirement. The 6’-6”, 265 lbs. TE will walk away from the New England Patriots after nine seasons.

Gronk was a three time Super Bowl champion (XLIX, LI, LIII), and was selected to the Pro Bowl five times in 2011, 2012, 2014, 2015, and 2017. In addition, he was a four time First Team All-Pro, and was the highest in rank for TE in the NFL Top 100 Players five times.

Gronkowski started his football career playing for the University of Arizona, until he was drafted by New England in the 2010 Draft with the 42nd pick.

Although Gronk was an outstanding player, he was also outstanding off the field. Gronk set up his own charity, called the Gronk Nation Youth Foundation. The foundation is set up to encourage young kids to stay active and to also provide them with the necessities for them to live a better and more successful life. Aside from his own foundation, he also helped with the Make-A-Wish Foundation, as well as the Patriots Foundation.

Gronk has done a lot for the Patriots, but the Patriots have done a lot for Gronk as well: “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 nine years have been amazing both on and off the field. The people I have met, the relationships I have built, the championships I have been a part of, I just want to thank the whole New England Patriots organization for every opportunity I have been given and learning the great values of life that I can apply to mine.”

It is obvious that the Patriots have done much for Gronk, but Gronk has done at least the same amount for the game of football with his personality. He is caring and hardworking, yet he still has the energetic and silly side to him which makes him so likable.

It is safe to say that Gronk will be going out with a bang.