Rob Gronkowski Spent nine years with the New England Patriots.
On Wednesday this period will be nine years and one day since fun and ever popular tight end will sign a one-day contract with the Patriots to officially end his career as a member of the team with which he won three his four Super Bowl rings.
“I'm signing a one-day contract with the Patriots this week where I plan to retire as a Patriot and remain a Patriot for life,” the “Fox NFL Sunday” analyst announced during this week's broadcast.
The next day, the Patriots announced when the signing ceremony would take place.
“The Toughest Ending in NFL History Is the Patriot Going!” the team published on Monday by X. “Watch @RobGronkowski sign his one-day contract this Wednesday at 12:15pm live on Patriots digital and social media.”
A second-round draft pick by New England in 2010, Gronkowski quickly became a key and beloved member of a Patriots dynasty already going strong under coach Bill Belichick and quarterback Tom Brady. He retired after the 2018 season but returned to the NFL in 2020 to join Brady on the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Two seasons and one Super Bowl win later, Gronk retired again.
Last summer idea of Gronkowski retiring with the Patriots was publicly released by Susan Hurley, founder and president of nonprofit fundraising firm CharityTeams. Speaking at the ribbon cutting ceremony Gronk Playground In Boston, Hurley made a personal appeal to Patriots owner Robert Kraft, who was also in attendance.
“Can we just make it official and sign [Gronkowski] for a day so he can retire as a Patriot?” asked Hurley. “What do you say?”
Kraft and Gronkowski voiced their approval at the time, and Gronkowski told reporters that Hurley was the one behind the idea of his signing.
“The reason we're really going to do this is because of Susan Hurley,” Gronkowski said. “She wants this to happen and has been dreaming about it for some time.”
Hurley died on November 1 at the age of 62 after a long battle with ovarian cancer.
Patriots spokeswoman Stacey James told The Times in a statement that the Patriots initially planned to honor Gronkowski's “legendary contributions to our franchise and the connection he shares with Patriot Nation” with a ceremonial contract following his induction into the team's Hall of Fame. Gronkowski is eligible for the award starting next year.
However, James said, “We decided to expedite this honor when Susan Hurley, a former Patriots fan and dear friend of Rob's, expressed her dying wish for Rob to retire from the Patriots. Her love for the team and for Rob was deeply touched, and we looked forward to hosting her for this announcement. Unfortunately, she passed away earlier this month. Although she will not be there, her presence will certainly be there.” be felt.”
Last week, Gronkowski posted a lengthy tribute to Hurley on social media.
“We lost a good player at the weekend” Gronkowski wrote. “Susan Hurley has known my family and I for a long time, she has become a good friend of ours and has supported our foundation over the years in more ways than words can say.
“But even outside of our team, Susan cared for many Boston Marathon charity teams and their bibs, helping to raise so much money to give back to charity. She always did it for the love, for the love of the game, for the love of people, for the love of helping others and for the love of children.”
“She always had a smile on her face and absolute positivity and inspired runners and charities every day, even while she was battling cancer. Her strength and resilience were truly inspiring and she will be greatly missed.”
“Without Susan, there would be no Gronk Playground. I am grateful that her legacy can live on through the playground, making a huge impact not only on all the Gronk Nation Youth Foundation children she helped, but on all the children she continues to inspire every day.”
