There can be few National Football League fans out there who are not incredibly familiar with monster Tight End and 36 year old Rob Gronkowski, particular due to his nine year stay with the New England Patriots.
New York native, The Gronk, ultimately went on to play his part in helping the franchise to three Super Bowl championships after he struck up an outstanding understanding with NFL Quarterback legend Tom Brady and although he announced his retirement back in 2019, he reversed that decision and teamed up again with Brady at the Tampa Bay Buccaneers for another two years where he added a fourth championship ring to his record of career accolades.
For those fans who use michigan online casinos for their gaming entertainment, they would not have expected that nearly four years after his latest retirement that the five time Pro Bowler would be back with the Patriots, having agreed to a symbolic one day contract so that he can fulfil the wish of a friend who had begged him to officially retire back home with his team. The timing is quite fitting as it is understood that there are plans to now induct him into the franchises Hall of Fame in 2026.
Since leaving The Pats he has continued his charity work in the greater Boston area, but earlier this month his charity partner Susan Hurley died from cancer. She was a former Patriot's cheerleader who went on to found CharityTeams in 2008 and prior to her passing she had publicly requested that her friend return to Foxborough and the Gillette Stadium one last time to finally hang up his helmet at ‘home'.
Speaking this week Gronk said that ‘we are 100% here today for her, no doubt' and in praising both her ‘passion' and ‘grace' in raising money for other charities to help the wider community, he stated that honouring her request was an ‘absolute no brainer'. Owner Robert Kraft paid tribute to his career, ‘his larger than life personality' and ‘his clutch performances' describing them as ‘legendary' and he was happy to have played his part in making this happen, as he knew what it would mean to Gronk and The Pats fans themselves.
With so many personal accolades picked up during his shorter eleven year professional career, the 6 foot 6 incher second round 2010 draft pick understandably picked up a lot of admirers down the years and he still holds the records for the most touchdowns in a single season by a Tight End (18) and the most receiving touchdowns in a single season by a Tight End (17).
There will certainly be those in the wider world of the NFL who feel that his career achievements would likely have been greater had it not been for the numerous injury issues that he had to battle back from, whether that be missing the entirety of 2009 in his college days having required back surgery, ligament surgery after the 2011 Super Bowl loss to the New York Giants, three forearm procedures by 2013, which was quickly followed by more back surgery, and on his return a speedy right knee ACL and MCL tear which ended 2013 as well.
It is no wonder he won the Comeback Player of the Year for the 2014 campaign, but even after that shorter injuries undoubtedly reduced his involvement in the seasons that followed. For those of a certain vintage they will have enjoyed watching him play, and also bounce back from knocks and challenges as often as he did and even if it only for one day, it will be nice to see him prowl that sideline just one last time. NFL sweepstakes for members.
