Rob Gronkowski: Comeback rumors can be put to rest
As much as New England Patriots fans may want him back, Rob Gronkowski once again took the opportunity to reaffirm his commitment to retirement.
He laughed… he smiled… he threw up his hands in mock bewilderment.
Asked by a reporter if he wanted to “put the comeback rumors to rest” at a Gillette Stadium charity event on Sunday, Rob Gronkowski acknowledged that even if he did so, it probably wouldn’t close the book definitively on all the endless speculation.
He knows as well as any reporter does that every fan in the New England area is wishing, hoping, thinking, praying that he’ll one day change his mind about retiring so young and return in triumph to the Patriots.
“Oh man! Whatever I say, it doesn’t matter,” Gronkowski said playfully. “It will always be crazy out there, but you can put them to rest. I’m feeling good. [In a] good place. It’s great to be back here.”
Video: A smiling Rob Gronkowski answers questions from reporters, saying there will always be a family feel at Gillette Stadium, while touching on his connection with the New England community, how he plans to do more events like this, and how life is good in retirement. pic.twitter.com/74zFGXH1Kk
— Mike Reiss (@MikeReiss) June 2, 2019
Gronkowski was attending One Mission Buzz Off for Kids, an event in which participants have their hair shaved off in order to stand in solidarity with children undergoing chemotherapy treatments for cancer.
Even though he’s technically no longer a member of the New England football team, Gronk acknowledged how important it was for him to serve as an ambassador for this kind of event – his ninth year doing so in a row. He also spoke in detail about how Gillette Stadium will always be his home, just as his former teammates and all of his many fans will always hold a special place in his heart.
"“I love the New England community. It’s something special, all the support through many, many years of playing. The support of just not on the field, but off the field as well. New England will always be special, always have a big part in my heart, and always have much love. It’s great to continue giving back. Just because I’m not playing any more doesn’t mean you can’t give back. You can do more, actually.”"
It will probably be years before rumors and questions about a comeback stop following Gronkowski wherever he goes – if they ever stop at all. He’s a beloved figure who will forever be exalted as a Boston sports legend, a rare cross-breed of a player with the personality of a goofy frat-boy and the football prowess of The Terminator in pads.
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Maybe one day we’ll see Gronkowski in a Patriots jersey again. Stranger things have happened. But for now at least, it appears that Gronk is happily retired and enjoying his life post-football in the New England community.