Nov 10, 2025 - Sports

Gronk retires, again, in Mass., fulfilling late friend's wish

Steph Solis

Rob Gronkowski, center, and other Patriots alumni, wear their Patriots uniforms to Fanatics Fest in New York. — Rob Gronkowski wears his old uniform to Fanatics Fest NYC in June. Photo: Noam Galai/Getty Images for Fanatics

Rob Gronkowski is retiring, again, as a Patriot.

Why it matters: It was one of Massachusetts philanthropist Susan Hurley's final wishes for Gronkowski, asking him to "retire as a Patriot for life."

Hurley, a friend of Gronkowski's, died Nov. 1 from cancer.

Catch up quick: The Patriots alum is signing a ceremonial contract at 12:15pm Wednesday in Foxborough.

Flashback: Gronkowski, who won three Super Bowl championships with the Patriots, first retired in New England in 2019, saying his injuries had piled up and taken a mental toll on him.

A year later, Gronkowski joined Tom Brady on the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and won another Super Bowl title.
He played with Tampa Bay for two years before stepping away for good.

Nowadays, Gronkowski is a Fox Sports analyst.

He chose the Sunday pregame show to share the news of his second retirement plans.

What we're watching: Gronkowski is eligible for the Patriots Hall of Fame as soon as 2026, and eligible for the Pro Football Hall of Fame the year after.

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Gronk retires, again, in Mass., fulfilling late friend's wish

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