New England Patriots
“I’m a Patriot for all times. My profession began right here, and one hundred pc wanted to finish right here.”
Jim Davis/Globe Employees
Rob Gronkowski is the most recent member of the Patriots’ Corridor of Fame, the crew introduced Wednesday.
The large tight finish turns into the thirty eighth individual inducted into the Corridor of Fame, becoming a member of contemporaries like quarterback Tom Brady (2024) and extensive receiver Julian Edelman (2025). Gronkowski landed the honour in his first yr of eligibility, besting finalists Adam Vinatieri and Logan Mankins.
The tight finish, who was a second-round choose of the Patriots in 2010 out of Arizona, performed 9 seasons with New England and had 521 catches for 7,861 yards and 79 touchdowns.
A serious a part of a crew that ended up successful three Tremendous Bowls, he capped his taking part in days with two seasons in Tampa Bay the place he added a fourth championship ring to his résumé earlier than retiring.
4 years after he performed his final recreation with the Buccaneers, Gronkowski signed a one-day contract to retire formally as a Patriot.
“I’m a Patriot for all times. My profession began right here, and one hundred pc wanted to finish right here,” Gronkowski stated final November after the ceremonial signing alongside crew proprietor Robert Kraft.
“Rob Gronkowski’s efficiency on the sphere was extraordinary, however it was his infectious power and persistently optimistic presence that actually set him aside,” stated Patriots Chairman and CEO Robert Kraft in a press release issued by the crew. “He at all times brightened everybody’s day. He earned the respect of coaches and teammates by way of his work ethic, preparation and unselfish method, whereas redefining what it meant to play his place.
“Rob grew to become a fan favourite nearly instantly and remained the usual at tight finish for practically a decade. We stay up for celebrating his induction into the Patriots Corridor of Fame and, in time, the Professional Soccer Corridor of Fame.”
Gronkowski will likely be remembered as one of many biggest tight ends within the historical past of the sport. He grew to become the primary tight finish in NFL historical past to submit three seasons of 1,000-plus receiving yards and 10-plus touchdowns (2011, 2014 and 2015).
As well as, his 32 100-yard receiving video games are second amongst all tight ends. He completed his profession ranked sixth amongst all tight ends with 9,286 receiving yards and third with 92 landing receptions.
The 6-foot-6-inch, 265-pounder was typically at his greatest within the postseason. His 1,389 playoff receiving yards are fourth in NFL historical past and his 15 postseason receiving touchdowns are third.
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