NFL legend Rob Gronkowski announces his retirement

One of the most profitable partnerships in the NFL will break up after New England Patriots icon Rob Gronkowski announced his retirement.

Rob Gronkowski is calling it a day.

Rob Gronkowski has spiked his last touchdown.

The iconic New England Patriots tight end is going out a champion, announcing his retirement after his third Super Bowl championship as the NFL’s favourite party-boy prepares to enter what surely will be the most entertaining post-football life there is.

Gronkowski has been dogged in recent seasons by back, knee, ankle and arm injuries that have limited his ability to stay on the field and contributed to his career-ending call.

In making “the biggest decision of my life so far”, Gronkowski thanked franchise owner Robert Kraft, coach Bill Belichick, the Patriots and their fans in his Instagram announcement.

“I will be retiring from the game of football today,” said Gronkowski, who will be 30 in May. “I am so grateful for the opportunity that Mr. Kraft and Coach Belichick gave to me when drafting my silliness in 2010.

“My life experiences over the last 9 years have been amazing both on and off the field. The people I have met, the relationships I have built, the championships I have been apart of, I just want to thank the whole New England Patriots organisation for every opportunity I have been giving (sic) and learning the great values of life that I can apply to mine.

“Thank you to all of Pats Nation around the world for the incredible support since I have been part of this 1st class organisation.

“To all my current and past teammates, thank you for making each team every year special to be part of. I will truly miss you guys. Cheers to all who have been part of this journey, cheers to the past for the incredible memories, and a HUGE cheers to the uncertainty of what’s next.”

Opposition defences will breathe a sigh of relief they no longer have to contend with Gronkowski.

Gronk will finish his career a five-time Pro Bowler with 79 career touchdowns and while his partying antics created their fair share of headlines, he was always all business on the football field as he established himself as one of the most dominant players in his position.

Gronkowski’s partnership with quarterback Tom Brady was instrumental in the Pats’ success as the play-caller regularly relied on his teammate to help the side out of trouble.

Tributes flooded in for Gronk as sports fans reflected on what he’d achieved.

Gronk

3-Time champ
Top-5 Patriot ever
Best tight end I’ve ever seen
Incredible big game guy
One of the most lovable Boston athletes ever
First ballot Hall of Famer

Can’t believe he did all of it in less than a decade.

Good luck @RobGronkowski

— Bill Simmons (@BillSimmons) March 24, 2019

Gronk’s plight is football at its most fundamental. He was everything we revere about the game but was still too human to withstand its brutality.

— Robert Mays (@robertmays) March 24, 2019

Thank you Gronk for all that you have meant to the Patriots, and to all of us as fans. A great career, going out on top as a Super Bowl champion once again. Enjoy retirement, you will be missed!!

— Dr. Bill Simmons (@drbill1947) March 24, 2019

Gronk’s next stop: Hall of Fame. #Gronk #patriotsnation

— Ashley Pratte (@AshPratte) March 24, 2019

Well done Gronk. Outstanding NFL career!

— Gerald Alexander (@GAlexander21) March 24, 2019

Gronk is physically a comic book character with the personality of a comic strip character. An outlier in every sense. Especially in New England where the machine is built for players not to standout among the others. But he always stood out. 69 jokes and TDs. Big shoes to fill.

— Dusty Harrah (@Dusty_Harrah) March 24, 2019

One of my favorite Boston athletes to watch, ever. There will never be another football player like Gronk. https://t.co/NdlStjMi9E

— Jesse Singal (@jessesingal) March 24, 2019

This article originally appeared on the New York Post and was reproduced with permission

Originally published as NFL legend Rob Gronkowski announces his retirement