Many have taken to social media to (once again) congratulate Tom Brady on his retirement and a tremendous 23-year NFL career that is sure to result in a bust of him being placed in the Canton Hall of Fame inside of five years.
Rob Gronkowski, one of Brady’s favorite targets throughout his career, was among those who shared his thoughts on his career.
And coming from someone who also retired twice, he understands where his former teammate is coming from.
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Tom Brady warming up in practice with future Hall of Fame tight end Rob «Gronk» Gronkowski. Tom and Gronk played together in the NFL for 11 seasons with the New England Patriots and Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Gronkowski retired from the NFL in 2022 after playing for 11 seasons.
(John Tlumacki/The Boston Globe via Getty Images)
«Tommy, since I already wrote you a long retirement message last year, this time I’ll say, welcome to the 2x retiree club,» Gronkowski wrote. «You are a legend and always will be, my friend.»
Gronkowski wasn’t one to think Brady was finished in the NFL just yet. Last week, he said Brady was «probably having his arm checked right now» during his new concert at the Fox Sports NFL Dashboard.
«It’s going to be the situation that intrigues him the most,» Gronk said. «Whatever opportunity makes you most excited to play football, that’s where it will be next year.»
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When Brady announced he was retiring last year, Gronk became emotional, and rightly so, with his friend and teammate, who talked him out of retirement the first time around to go to Tampa Bay to play for the Buccaneers in 2020.
They would go on to win the Super Bowl, 31-9 over the Kansas City Chiefs, that year.
Rob Gronkowski and Tom Brady celebrate after winning the Super Bowl.
(Mike Ehrman/Getty Images)
«Tommy Boy! This football journey with you has been very special. Thank you for your dedication to the game, putting the team in the best possible position to win every year, all the records that were broken, the Super Bowls, the memories. and your friendship over the last 12 years. If you put even 10% of what you committed to football into what you do next, you will have great success. I witnessed greatness for so many years and learned from the best to ever do it. You’re a legend and always will be.»
Gronkowski would retire once more after the 2021 season and, like Brady did this time, he said it was forever. That prompted Brady to share a message of his own for his tight end.
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«Teammate, friend, brother, just a few of the words that come to mind when I think of @gronk. No one has embodied the idea of ’leaving it all on the field’ like Rob has throughout his entire career. career. Every Snap, he knew that no matter how many people you put in front of him, he was going to get to his place,» Brady said. wrote on Instagram.
«Even more important is the person he was off the field. Focused when he needed to be and FUN the rest of the time. Having Gronk in your locker room was every NFL player’s dream. I’m proud of all we’ve accomplished together, and even more excited for everything that lies ahead.»
In his 11 years in the NFL, nine with the New England Patriots and two with the Bucs, Gronkowski was one of the most feared receivers in the league, let alone among tight ends. And a lot of it had to do with the chemistry he had with Brady, as well as his 6-foot-6, 265-pound frame and his sacking ability.
Tom Brady and Rob Gronkowski played together for 11 seasons after Rob was drafted by the New England Patriots in 2010. Rob «Gronk» Gronkowski is a future Hall of Fame tight end who won four Super Bowls as Tom’s teammate. . Gronkowski retired in 2022, but some people speculate that he didn’t play his last snap as Brady’s teammate. In the photo, Brady and Gronkowski celebrate their Super Bowl victory in Tampa, Florida.
(Mike Ehrman/Getty Images)
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Gronkowski finished his career with four Super Bowl rings, five Pro Bowl nominations, four All-Pro designations, and 92 career receiving touchdowns.