Rob Gronkowski has officially come out of retirement to join the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, but it does not sound like he has any hard feelings toward the organization that granted his request for a trade.
Gronkowski issued a lengthy statement on Instagram Thursday, and he began by thanking New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft, head coach Bill Belichick and the fans that supported him through the first nine years of his career. Gronk also said he is incredibly excited to begin a new chapter of his career and that the “fire is back” after he took a year off.
“Without Mr. Kraft and Coach Belichick taking a chance on me in the 2010 draft, I wouldn’t be sitting here in this position in life, THANK YOU both as well my former teammates for everything over the years,” Gronkowski wrote.
One noteworthy part of Gronk’s statement was that he said he is looking forward to playing in Tampa and “(having) a blast doing it.”
Gronkowski had broken down physically by the end of his tenure with the Patriots, but there were numerous indications that he had grown tired of the strict culture Belichick has created in New England. There was talk of tension between Gronk and Belichick prior to his final season with the Pats in 2018, and it’s fair to wonder if he would have come out of retirement even if Brady remained in New England.
Brady and Gronkowski will be a part of a much looser environment under head coach Bruce Arians in Tampa Bay. They are undoubtedly looking forward to that at this point in their respective careers.
Tom Brady and Rob Gronkowski have teamed up yet again! Treat yourself or a friend with this great Tampa Fiesta shirt. You can buy it here.
