Rob Gronkowski has accomplished all that there is to accomplish in the NFL. A Super Bowl champion, numerous-time All-Pro, and a legit first-ballot Hall of Famer; Rob Gronkowski is likely the best tight end to ever play the game.
Naturally, when players retire while they appear still able to play, there are always rumors, hints, and allegations of a comeback. Bret Favre, Tom Brady, Peyton Manning, and scores more have retired, unretired, teased, and returned.
Last season, when so many teams were limping toward the NFL Playoffs and Rob Gronkowski had been on his couch for the year some teams were reaching out thinking that could lure him back for the playoff push.
No such luck, and as we now have officially started the new league year, many are wondering if Gronkowski will come back to play for a team like Cincinnati where he could pick up that last ring. Forget about it.
In an interview with TMZ Sports, Gronkowski had this to say about his future in football he is : “happily retired.”
Former #Patriots and #Bucs TE Rob Gronkowski says "there's no chance" of #NFL return: "I'm happily retired" pic.twitter.com/oEq7197zCU
— NFL Rumors (@nflrums) April 10, 2023
Cool story Rob, but if there is one thing we know about high-level athletes, it’s that the flame burns bright and hot. People that sacrifice their entire lives to compete at such a high level often have trouble walking away if they still think they can play. Gronkowski is no different.
Fox Sports points out: Gronkowski spent the 2022 season working as an NFL analyst for FOX Sports, but he admitted that he contemplated playing for the Buffalo Bills last season.
Bucs head coach Todd Bowles also revealed that the team contacted Gronkowski in November about him possibly coming out of retirement.
While Buffalo couldn’t coax Gronkowski out of the booth, a high-end team that is the betting favorite to win the Super Bowl, and also happens to have a glaring need at the position like Cincinnati does, might.
Everyone is happily retired in April when they are walking the beach with Tom Brady, as Gronkowski was spotted recently. The true test will be after the mid-summer dead period, and camp begins. That is when guys like Rob Gronkowski can look at the contenders and decide who could use his services the most.
For now, and perhaps permanently Gronkowski seems happy. If he never plays another down he will be the best to ever play the position. A second-round draft pick in 2010, Gronk became a five-time Pro Bowler and was named an All-Pro four times. Beyond that, he was one of the most likable, fun players in the game.
Gronkowski is focusing on mastering another sport. Pickleball is his current passion, and who knows, maybe he will go pro. Is there a pro league? If there is he will find a way to dominate.
Gronkowski summed up where he is in life and pickleball.
“I beat my brother, Chris, who plays with pros, and my other brother, Gordon, who plays with pros too!” Gronkowski said. “And I beat ’em 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 need to go back to football.”
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