Many believe 33-year-old Rob Gronkowski has a lot left in the tank. And while that may be true, the five-time Pro Bowler appears to have made peace with the end of his NFL career.
During a recent interview with TMZ, Gronkowski explained that his second retirement will stand this time as he focuses on conquering a new sporting arena.
“There’s no chance (of an NFL return) anymore,” Gronkowski said. “I am happy in retirement. I actually started Pickleball. I beat my brother Chris who plays pros and my other brother Gordon who plays pros too and I beat them with an average joe, my other brother Glenn G. was my partner… I’m happily retired, I’m still competing, I’m still winning, so I don’t even have to go back to football.”
Gronkowski’s first retirement lasted an entire season before reuniting with former quarterback Tom Brady with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. He played two seasons with the Bucs, catching 100 passes for 1,425 yards and 13 touchdowns before calling it a career after the 2021 season.
It was reported that Tampa tried to persuade him to return late in the 2022 season, but they were rebuffed. Brady, who announced his second retirement in February, all but closed the door on a possible Gronkowski return.
Gronkowski was a 201 second-round pick by the New England Patriots and played 11 seasons totaling 621 receptions, 9,286 yards and 92 touchdowns. He won four Super Bowls — three with New England, one with Tampa — was named a First Team All-Pro four times and was the 2014 NFL Comeback Player of the Year.
Gronkowski was also named to the NFL 100th Anniversary All-Time Team, 2010s All-Decade Team, Patriots All-Dynasty Team, and All-2010s Team.
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