Rob Gronkowski is a professional football player who has been playing for the New England Patriots since 2010. He was drafted in the second round of the NFL Draft and played his first game on September 10, 2010. He retired from the NFL in 2018 and returned to play in 2019. What made him decide to retire and come back?
Rob Gronkowski retired from the NFL in April 2018. He then came back to play for the New England Patriots one month later. The why did rob gronkowski come out of retirement is a question that many football fans have been asking themselves since his decision.
When Rob Gronkowski announced his retirement from the NFL, he, like many other sportsmen before him, disappointed fans. Gronkowski joined the New England Patriots in 2010 and remained with the club for nine seasons, earning the nickname “Gronk” from his supporters. That’s a long time in such a high-impact profession, and the tight end was ready to retire until a series of injuries began to take their toll on his body. Most individuals can only play high-level sports for so long, so it’s not surprising that the then-29-year-old decided to hang up his jersey after nine seasons. Imagine the surprise when Gronkowski revealed that he will be returning to the NFL after just a year away. So, what was it that drew him back?
With the New England Patriots, Gronkowski had a lot of success.
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers’ Rob Gronkowski #87 rushes the ball. | Katelyn Mulcahy/Getty Images
Gronkowski joined the New England Patriots in 2010 as a second-round draft choice after playing college football at Arizona. Gronkowski hails from a family of NFL players, with four of the five Gronkowski brothers having played in the league, according to the family’s website Gronk Nation. Rob Gronkowski joined his older brothers Dan Gronkowski (who joined the Detroit Lions in 2009) and Chris Gronkowski in the festivities (who signed to the Cowboys in 2010). Glenn Gronkowski, his younger brother, has also played in the NFL, joining the New England Patriots practice squad.
Rob, on the other hand, has had the greatest success on the field. When he became the youngest rookie ever to catch three touchdown passes in a single game, he received an award in the Madden video game named after him. His contributions to the club won him a lucrative six-year contract for $54 million, which he signed in 2012. In 2016, he was rated as the 9th best player in the whole NFL.
His colleagues admired him as well, with quarterback Tom Brady describing him as “one of the most optimistic individuals I’ve ever met.”
Why did Rob Gronkowski decide to call it a day?
With all of his achievements behind him, Gronkowski couldn’t deny that he was getting older. He was feeling the strain from younger players after nine seasons with the Patriots. “I was trying to go out to the practices over the summer and I was being smoked by every rookie,” Gronkowski told CBS.
He offered these reasons when he announced his retirement, citing numerous injuries that had kept him out of the game at times, as well as an attempt to party like a “rockstar” that had not gone as planned. Gronkowski didn’t rule out a comeback, however. “When that time comes down in the future, if I have the desire to play football again, if I feel passionate about football again, if I feel like I need to be out there on the field,” he added.
Gronkowski came out of retirement for a reason.
It wasn’t a lengthy process. Throughout his short retirement, Gronkowski passed up chances to return, but he finally felt it was time. Gronkowski told the Buccaneers’ official website, “I’m certainly fortunate to have had those chances big time, but I said from the start that I wouldn’t come back until I felt it; unless I’m feeling good, feeling healthy, and feeling like I’m ready to play.” This is the situation now.”
Gronkowski voiced optimism at the time that he’d be back in playing condition in no time. He claimed it was simply a question of almond butter and blueberry smoothies since he was just around 15 pounds under his playing weight. It didn’t hurt that he’d be reunited with quarterback Tom Brady, who had also relocated to Tampa Bay. The duo has been impressing with their skills on the field since reuniting.
RELATED: Why Rob Gronkowski of the New England Patriots Hasn’t Touched His NFL Salary
Rob Gronkowski retired from the NFL in April 2018, but he has decided to come back. In this article, we will discuss why he made that decision and what made him decide to return. Reference: rob gronkowski net worth.
Frequently Asked Questions
When did Gronk come back?
On September 25th, 2018.
Why did Brady choose Buccaneers?
Brady chose the Tampa Bay Buccaneers because he wanted to be close to his family.
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