Gronkowski teases signing a 1-day contract to retire with Patriots

Only a few weeks after Tom Brady was immortalized at Gillette Stadium with a statue, one other Patriots legend may be readying himself for an awaited send-off in Foxborough. 

Talking to reporters at the unveiling of the “Gronk Playground” on the Esplanade this week, former New England tight finish Rob Gronkowski mentioned that he has plans to signal a one-day contract in order that he can formally retire as a member of the Patriots. 

“Come again for a day, a weekend, no matter it’s. So we’ll make it occur, and it’ll be a very, actually cool second,” Gronkowski told reporters. “It’s going to occur. We simply don’t know when.”

Gronkowski credited Susan Hurley — the founder and president of CharityTeams who helped safe the funding for the “Gronk Playground” — because the catalyst for securing that one-day contract. 

In accordance with Gronkowski, it was Hurley who approached Patriots proprietor Robert Kraft in regards to the concept of Gronkowski formally retiring as a participant in New England, the place he spent the primary 9 seasons of his profession and gained three Tremendous Bowl titles. 

“I like that quite a bit,” Gronkowski mentioned. The rationale why we’re actually going to try this is due to Susan Hurley. She needs to see that occur. She’s been dreaming about that occuring for some time. [Kraft] gave her a thumbs up. So we’re gonna make it occur sooner or later, and it’s gonna be a particular second.”

Despite the fact that Gronkowski closed out his profession with two seasons in Tampa Bay — the place he gained one other Tremendous Bowl title alongside Brady — he continues to carry shut ties to New England. 

Talking on the unveiling of the Gronk Playground, Gronkowski grew to become emotional when discussing what the Patriots and this market has meant to him. 

“Excuse me, you continue to have me moved,” Gronkowski instructed the gang whereas combating again some tears.

“I considered the thought to provide again to the Boston space for all of the love and assist the [region] of New England followers have proven me all through my profession,” Gronkowski added. “It was since day one. Even when I used to be appearing like an fool, they beloved it. You guys beloved it,” he mentioned. “So thanks a lot. It helped me carry out, tremendously.”

 

Conor Ryan is a workers author masking the Bruins, Celtics, Patriots, and Pink Sox for Boston.com, a task he has held since 2023.