Practically six years after his ultimate recreation in a New England uniform, Rob Gronkowski will signal a ceremonial one-day contract this week to retire as a Patriot.
The ceremony is scheduled for 12:15 p.m. on Wednesday at Gillette Stadium, based on the crew.
“I’m signing a one-day contract with the Patriots this week arising,” Gronkowski, now an NFL analyst for FOX Sports activities, introduced Sunday on the community’s pregame present,
“to retire as a Patriot and be a Patriot for all times.”
Throughout his 9 seasons in New England, Gronkowski established himself as one of many franchise’s all-time greats and one of many prime tight ends in NFL historical past. A five-time Professional Bowler and four-time first-team All-Professional, he gained three Tremendous Bowls and hauled in 79 receiving touchdowns throughout his Patriots tenure.
Gronkowski was a member of the Patriots’ All-2010s Crew and All-Dynasty Crew — in addition to the NFL’s 2010s All-Decade and one hundredth Anniversary Groups — and will probably be a shoo-in for the Patriots Corridor of Fame when he turns into eligible.
In Gronkowski’s ultimate recreation as a Patriot, he caught six passes for 76 yards in Tremendous Bowl LIII, together with a 29-yarder that arrange New England’s lone landing in its 13-3 victory over the Rams. He sat out the 2019 season earlier than returning to play two extra years — and win yet one more Tremendous Bowl — with quarterback Tom Brady in Tampa Bay.
The 36-year-old has remained related to the Boston space since his departure. The “Gronk Playground,” which Gronkowski donated $1.8 million to assist fund, opened this summer time on the Charles River Esplanade. On the playground unveiling, Gronkowski turned emotional whereas reflecting on “all the love and help that the town and New England followers have proven me all through my profession.”
“One other man, a few weeks in the past, bought a statue,” Gov. Maura Healey advised reporters on the August ceremony, referring to the bronze Brady bust that sits outdoors Gillette Stadium. “I feel it’s fairly cool that Gronk’s bought a playground. That sounds proper.”
The concept for Gronkowski’s one-day contract was inspired by native philanthropist Susan Hurley, based on a report from ESPN’s Mike Reiss. Hurley, whose CharityTeams nonprofit partnered with Gronkowski to construct the playground, died earlier this month of Stage 4 ovarian most cancers at age 62.
