Tag: Rob Gronkowksi

Rob Gronkowski is retiring from the NFL. Again. For now.

Gronk mentioned “Tampa” or “Buccaneers” six times in his retirement post. He didn’t mention the Patriots once.

Rob Gronkowski is retiring. Again.

The All-Pro tight end is hanging up his cleats after 11 seasons, four Super Bowl victories and 107 touchdown receptions across the regular season and playoffs. He was a staple of dominant teams whether it was as a New England Patriot or Tampa Bay Buccaneer; every team he ever played for wound up making the playoffs. He’s been one of the most prolific targets in Tom Brady’s long career, having caught all but two of those touchdown passes from the legendary quarterback.

Gronkowski announced he’d ended his NFL career in an Instagram post roundly thanking Tampa Bay but neglecting to mention the nine years he’d spent in New England prior to moving south.

https://www.instagram.com/p/CfE8oI1OhE7/?igshid=YmMyMTA2M2Y=

He’ll be a no doubt NFL Hall of Fame finalist come 2027 if he stays retired.  Gronkowski has stared down the end of his career before. He ended his career in 2019 before returning to reunite with Brady in Florida before the 2020 season. That led to a Buccaneer world championship and a pair of touchdowns in Super Bowl 55.

It’s feasible to think “Gronk” could change his mind again before the 2022 season. He’s only 33 years old and coming off a season in which his 804 receiving yards ranked seventh among all tight ends despite playing in only 12 games. His agent Drew Rosenhaus, admitted as much Tuesday:

If this is indeed the end, Gronkowski will have the chance to retire to the life of hosting parties and hoisting pro wrestling championships he left behind in 2020. If not, it’s a safe bet the Buccaneers will have a locker waiting for him before the team’s playoff push.

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Tom Brady and Rob Gronkowski share a hilarious Wes Welker story

Tom Brady and Rob Gronkowski had a hilarious Wes Welker story on Monday

For former New England Patriots wide receiver Wes Welker, a shot of Jack Daniels got him ready to go during a late-season game in 2010.

Quarterback Tom Brady and tight end Rob Gronkowski told the story during a Q-and-A for Autograph NFTs.

The Patriots visited the Chicago Bears in December 2010. With 30 mile an hour winds and a windchill of 9° at opening kickoff, Welker was having a hard time getting warm. He took the shot to warm up a bit, as the Patriots were able to defeat the Bears by a 36-7 score. In doing so, they were able to clinch a playoff berth that year. Gronkowski joined in the fun as well, as transcribed by Chris Mason of MassLive.com.

“I do remember Wes Welker taking a shot of, I think, Jack Daniels before the game too because he was trying to warm up,” Brady said. “He’s like, ‘TB, come on get a shot!’ And I’m like, ‘I’m not taking a shot before the game.’ Because Wes was so old school. He was like, ‘I’ve gotta take it!’ And he did. He went out there and was wearing no sleeves. He was so fired up for the game. It was hilarious.”

Gronkowski was also able to confirm the story.

“He did. He did rip a shot. And it was Jack Daniels,” Gronkowski said. “What a maniac. I love him.”

Welker caught eight passes for 115 yards in the victory. The win over Chicago gave the Patriots their fifth win in a row, and they would win the final three games of the regular season. The Patriots would finish that season with a 14-2 record, while Welker would finish with 848 receiving yards and seven touchdowns.

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