Gronk done with NFL for good, finding a new sport to fuel competitive desires

One of the greatest players in NFL history at his position won’t be returning to the league. Tight end Rob Gronkowski won’t be calling it a comeback.

It’s over. It’s all over.

It has become very vogue, and understandably so, to question when a professional athlete decides to walk away from his sport and then have a change of heart. There’s something nothing wrong with that. People have that right, of course.

You can understand any skepticism directed at talented tight end Rob Gronkowski. After nine seasons with the New England Patriots, he stepped away from the game. Along with his many receptions during both the regular-season and postseason, there were five Pro Bowl invitations, four All-Pro nods and three Super Bowl titles.

There was no football in 2019. Gronkowski opted to return to the NFL in 2020 with an “assist” from longtime friend and teammate Tom Brady. The Patriots would trade the prolific target and exceptional blocker to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Things worked out pretty well for Brady and Gronk, who were key cogs in the Bucs’ Super Bowl LV championship campaign.

Both returned in 2021 but the Bucs were dethroned by the eventual Super Bowl champion Rams in the playoffs. The star tight end would retire again and didn’t play in ’22. It’s safe to assume he won’t be changing his mind again.

Rob Gronkowski is ‘happily retired’, taking up a new sport post-NFL

“There’s no chance anymore. I’m happily retired,” said Gronkowski in a recent interview with TMZ. He also found something else to keep him busy and it sounds like a pretty good “dill.”

“I actually picked up pickleball,” said the 33-year-old celebrity. “I beat my brother, Chris, who plays with pros, and my other brother, Gordon, who plays with pros too! And I beat ‘em with an average Joe. My other brother, Glenn G., was my partner!

“So, I’m happily retired. I’m still competing, I’m still winning, so I don’t even need to go back to football.”

This time around, it appears to be for good. Now the wait begins. No, not in regards to a change of heart by Rob Gronkowski. He would become a member of the Class of 2027 in his first year of eligibility for the Pro Football Hall of Fame.