Gronkowski retires from NFL

[rmp]

No surprise really. Many thought last year would have been it. Wish him well, he was an amazing player.

[robj144]

Originally Posted by Neil K Walk

He was a talent to be sure, but if there’s one thing I’m sure of it’s that the Patriots will be fine without him. Didn’t they win a Super Bowl without him?

As for what he can do next, I’m sure he’d do fine. I mean, if Shannon Sharp and Deon Sanders can get jobs in sports media then he’s ahead of the game. Maybe he can be the new advocate for youth against eating Tide Pods?

The Pats did not one without him. In fact, he was injured pretty severely but played (barely) in the 2nd Superbowl with the Giants and I thought if he was fully healthy, that game might have been different.

[HeyMikey]

In his prime certainly one of the best ever. He was always a force and exciting to watch.

[raysachs]

Originally Posted by robj144

The Pats did not one without him. In fact, he was injured pretty severely but played (barely) in the 2nd Superbowl with the Giants and I thought if he was fully healthy, that game might have been different.

They won the first three without him, no?

[robj144]

Originally Posted by raysachs

They won the first three without him, no?

Yes, but in context, I meant during his playing career, they didn't win one without him.

[fazool]

Originally Posted by Dru Edwards

Well, Gronk retired today. I'm glad he's walking away from the game rather than risk serious injury. Big loss for the Patriots but he had too many games recently where he would hobble rather than run.

A fan favorite - one that can't be replaced. I don't think his decision is a surprise to anyone.

Glad he made the decision before the draft.

Your thoughts?

He played his first three high school years in our town (we have five high schools - he was at a different one but we played them). He went on to a private school for his senior year because he was so far ahead of everyone else it wasn't even close.

Bittersweet - it's always nice to have another hometown boy make a big league career, but the Pats are our current arch enemies soooooo blecch.

[David M123]

I am happy for him. It was the right decision. Every time I saw him last season, he looked tired, drawn out and definitely not having fun.

He gets to go out at the top, a lock for the Hall of Fame. He is in a very strong financial position and doesn't need to do anything more strenuous than sit out beside the pool and catch some rays the rest of his life.

But if he wants to work, which I suspect he will, he has numerous possibilities both within and outside of football.

I'll raise a glass to many more years of fun for the Gronk.

[Neil K Walk]

Originally Posted by robj144

The Pats did not one without him. In fact, he was injured pretty severely but played (barely) in the 2nd Superbowl with the Giants and I thought if he was fully healthy, that game might have been different.

I believe he was on injured reserve for Superbowl XLI.

His numbers were also significantly down this year, so it was time. Good for him. I won't even put an asterisk on that statement.

[1neeto]

Originally Posted by robj144

As a Pats fan, I hope he, like Whitten, unretires around December.

Would you imagine if Gronk got a booth gig? Goofiest guy ever. Lol

We all knew it was highly likely he would retire. Over the years he added more and more braces, and every play he looked like he would have a career-ending injury. Smart guy for retiring while still so young.

[Dru Edwards]

Originally Posted by robj144

As a Pats fan, I hope he, like Whitten, unretires around December.

His agent mentioned that he wouldn't be surprised if Gronk unretired for a few games. Wouldn't that be something, return for the last 3 games of the season in time for (hopefully) a playoff run.

Originally Posted by robj144

The Pats did not one without him. In fact, he was injured pretty severely but played (barely) in the 2nd Superbowl with the Giants and I thought if he was fully healthy, that game might have been different.

I still remember Brady throwing deep to Gronk in the last couple of minutes in the game (at least I think it was very late in the game). Gronk was hobbling and couldn't come up with the catch. He would have had he been healthy.

[robj144]

Originally Posted by Neil K Walk

I believe he was on injured reserve for Superbowl XLI.

His numbers were also significantly down this year, so it was time. Good for him. I won't even put an asterisk on that statement.

That was the Colts-Bears Superbowl. What Superbowl did you mean?

[lfoo6952]

A couple of days ago I heard Jim Gray, sports commentator, say that he might be the best tight end ever to play the game. While I agree that he was a great player, I'm not sure I would consider him the best.

[Dirk Hofman]

First ballot HOF in my view.

[Dru Edwards]

Originally Posted by Dirk Hofman

First ballot HOF in my view.

Mine too, Dirk. Everyone knows what he can do offensively but he had some big blocks in the playoffs too (as well as all throughout his career).

[Neil K Walk]

Originally Posted by robj144

That was the Colts-Bears Superbowl. What Superbowl did you mean?

My apologies for the errant keystroke. I meant SB 51 in 2017. He was hurt twice in November 2016, had back surgery the following month and was on injured reserve for the SB.