At 33 years old, Tampa Bay Buccaneers tight end Robert James “Gronk” Gronkowski has announced his retirement from the NFL via Instagram. Unfortunately, this isn’t just some hilarious ploy to avoid being traded to the Detroit Lions. We may have actually seen our very last “Gronk Spike.”
Gronk is the third key player from the Buccaneers’ offence to announce their retirement this off-season after guard Ali Marpet and quarterback Tom Brady. The latter of whom, as you are no doubt aware, backflipped on his decision after 40 short days.
As mentioned earlier, Gronk has previously announced his retirement before following a series of injuries during the 2018 season with the New England Patriots. Brady eventually defected to Tampa Bay, called his mate up, and they go on to win a Super Bowl together in 2020. Sometimes, it really is that easy.
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Rob Gronkowski has won a total of three Super Bowls with the Patriots (XLIX, LI, LIII) and one with the Buccaneers (LV). On top of all this, he’s been named a first-team All-Pro four times (2011, 2014, 2015, 2017), picked for the Pro Bowl five times (2011, 2012, 2014, 2015 and 2017), and led the NFL in receiving touchdowns – or “tuddies,” as he likes to call them – in 2011.
Gronk was also the NFL’s Comeback Player of the Year in 2014 and listed for both the 2010s All-Decade Team as well as its 100th Anniversary All-Time Team. If this is truly it for Gronk, he leaves behind one of history’s most decorated resumes for a tight end. Period.
That being said, Rob Gronkowski’s agent Drew Rosenhaus told ESPN’s Adam Schefter that the possibility of his client being coaxed out of retirement by Tom Brady – for the second time – is very much on the cards.
“It would not surprise me if Tom Brady calls him during the season to come back and Rob answers the call,” Drew Rosenhaus told Schefter.
“This is just my opinion, but I wouldn’t be surprised if Rob comes back during the season or next season.”
The Brady-Gronk pairing is honestly one of the best things in the entire sport. Not only are they a nightmare for any team’s defence on the field, but their friendship is truly iconic. Where Brady was known to be intense and calculating, Gronk was the fun to balance it.
A couple of busted Lombardi trophies later, both of their legacies are cemented as arguably the greatest ever within their respective positions. We may have seen the last of this powerful duo under the bright lights of the NFL, but it remains Bad Boys for life with these two.
