It looks like former New England Patriots tight end Rob Gronkowski will officially close out his NFL career in a Patriots uniform.
The team announced on Monday that Gronkowski will be signing a one-day contract on Wednesday, with the plan being for the former tight end to officially retire as a member of the Patriots.
The former 2010 second-round pick obviously had an incredible career, with Gronk being a dominant player both as a receiver as well as a punishing blocker. He was a key part of the second half of New England’s championship runs, with Gronkowski ending his tenure with the Patriots in dramatic fashion. He made the key reception in the team’s last Super Bowl against the Rams that led to the win, with Gronkowski calling it quits at the end of that season at the age of 29.
However, after a year away, he came back one more time after reuniting with Tom Brady in Tampa Bay in 2020. The two then went on to win another ring together before Gronkowski hung his cleats up for good after the following season.
According to Mike Reiss of ESPN, part of what helped make this happen was Gronkowski’s relationship with local philanthropist Susan Hurley. Hurley and the former tight end did extensive charity work here in New England, with one recent event seeing her make the suggestion that Gronk sign a one-day contract and make his retirement with his former team official.
She passed away earlier this month, but it looks like her wish will soon be granted.
For now, it’s hard not to appreciate what an impact Gronkowski made here in New England. He was the consummate teammate and professional, and he redefined the tight end position both here and across the league. Back when he was selected, the Patriots traded up two spots to take him at 44th overall back in 2010, and that selection will certainly go down as one of the best picks in franchise history.
The team announced on its social channels that the event will be broadcast on the Patriots’ digital and social channels beginning at 12:15 pm on Wednesday.
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Ian Logue is a Seacoast native and owner and senior writer for PatsFans.com, an independent media site covering the New England Patriots and has been running this site in one form or another since 1997.
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The story of him and Susan Hurley is really a great one.