KZRG SPORTS: ROB GRONKOWSKI RETIRES
Four-time Super Bowl Champion, Rob Gronkowski has retired from the NFL. Considered one of the best tight ends in NFL history, Gronkowski has made his stamp on his position and the NFL.
Gronkowski calls it a career after eleven years of greatness. During is NFL tenure, he amassed 621 catches for 9,286 yards and adding 92 touchdowns. For his performances, he was named to five Pro Bowls, four First Team All-Pro selections, and 2014 NFL Comeback Player of the Year. He was also named to the 2010’s All-Decade Team and to the NFL 100th Anniversary All-Time Team.
Gronkowski helped transform how tight ends are seen in the NFL. His ability to block, catch, and embarrass defensive backs in the redzone has terrorized defensive coordinators for years. Most teams plan for the opposing teams best receiving threat, and usually that is the top wide receiver, not for teams playing Gronkowski. Teams had to not only plan for the other teams tight end, but when it came to Gronkowski, they had to completely change their gameplans. He drew some of the most strenuous coverage packages from some of the NFL’s top defensive minds. Spoiler Alert. It did not work.
Gronkowski was also very well known for his off-the-field style. He is known not for anything bad, quite the opposite actually. Gronkowski was constantly seen enjoying himself during the off-season including taking batting practice with the Lombardi Trophy, jokingly interrupting a White House press briefing and multiple inappropriate numerical jokes. (His favorite number was 69 if that helps put together the last reference.) One moment that best paints the picture of Gronkowski during his career: after his Patriots defeated the Baltimore Ravens in the AFC championship game, he was being interviewed by ESPN Deportes where he answered a question by saying “Yo soy fiesta.” This simply translates to “I am party.” Yes Gronk, yes you are.
Gronk, you will be missed. Whether it was your constant displays of insane talent, to making Tom Brady seem somewhat human from time to time, or just simply reminding us that football and life are supposed to be fun. You will never be forgotten. I would wish you good luck in retirement, but clearly you will enjoy it as you do everything else.
Written by Nathan Massey KZRG SPORTS