https://www.bostonherald.com/2019/03/24/rob-gronkowski-announces-his-retirement-from-patriots-nfl/ The greatest tight end to ever play the game takes and early retirement. He has put some hard mileage on the body, and has made a shitload of money, so it's understandable. Nonetheless, he will be missed on the Pats in many ways.
Here is a list (from earlier this month), that has Gronk ranked 3rd All-Time (behind Gonzalez and Gates). https://athlonsports.com/nfl/25-greatest-tight-ends-nfl-history Just one of many lists. But, a recent one that took his latest SB into account.
That is a good list for the most part but I would put Ozzie Newsome above Kellen Winslow and keep Gronk at 3rd. He'll go to the Hall, IMO, for sure. Loved watching him play.
Agreed. First Ballot, Hall of Fame, for sure. He would be the only 1st Ballot guy (outside of Jim Brown and Gale Sayers) to never play an NFL game in his 30's.
I admire his decision. Considering the punishment he took I hope it's not too late. He was awesome to watch.
Based on rings yes. However, some of the best who have ever played have no rings. Stuck on shitz teams their entire careers... One can only imagine a Ozzie Newsome or Kellen Winslow playing with the Patriots over the past decade....
Perhaps Jason Witten, Dave Casper, Ozxie Newsome, Kellen Winslow Senior, Shannon Sharpe, and definitely Tonly Gonzales. MAJOR thread FAIL!
Easily the greatest ever - no one else even comes close - and I can't stand the effing Pats. But too late to avoid major neurological damage; he should have quit years ago.
John Mackey http://www.nfl.com/player/johnmackey/2519920/careerstats Rushing Year Team G Att Att/G Yds Avg Yds/G TD Lng 1st 1st% 20+ 40+ FUM 1972 San Diego Chargers 13 -- 0.0 -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- 1971 Baltimore Colts 14 3 0.2 18 6.0 1.3 0 -- -- -- -- -- -- 1970 Baltimore Colts 14 -- 0.0 -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- 1969 Baltimore Colts 14 2 0.1 3 1.5 0.2 0 -- -- -- -- -- -- 1968 Baltimore Colts 14 10 0.7 103 10.3 7.4 0 -- -- -- -- -- -- 1967 Baltimore Colts 14 -- 0.0 -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- 1966 Baltimore Colts 14 1 0.1 -6 -6.0 -0.4 0 -- -- -- -- -- -- 1965 Baltimore Colts 14 1 0.1 7 7.0 0.5 0 -- -- -- -- -- -- 1964 Baltimore Colts 14 1 0.1 -1 -1.0 -0.1 0 -- -- -- -- -- -- 1963 Baltimore Colts 14 1 0.1 3 3.0 0.2 0 -- -- -- -- -- -- TOTAL 139 19 0.1 127 6.7 0.9 0 0 0 0.0 0 0 0 Kick Return Year Team G Ret Yds Avg Lng TD 20+ 40+ FC FUM 1972 San Diego Chargers 13 -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- 1971 Baltimore Colts 14 -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- 1970 Baltimore Colts 14 -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- 1969 Baltimore Colts 14 -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- 1968 Baltimore Colts 14 -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- 1967 Baltimore Colts 14 -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- 1966 Baltimore Colts 14 -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- 1965 Baltimore Colts 14 -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- 1964 Baltimore Colts 14 -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- 1963 Baltimore Colts 14 9 271 30.1 -- 0 -- -- 0 Receiving Year Team G Rec Yds Avg Yds/G Lng TD 20+ 40+ 1st FUM 1972 San Diego Chargers 13 11 110 10.0 8.5 -- 0 -- -- -- -- 1971 Baltimore Colts 14 11 143 13.0 10.2 -- 0 -- -- -- -- 1970 Baltimore Colts 14 28 435 15.5 31.1 -- 3 -- -- -- -- 1969 Baltimore Colts 14 34 443 13.0 31.6 -- 2 -- -- -- -- 1968 Baltimore Colts 14 45 644 14.3 46.0 -- 5 -- -- -- -- 1967 Baltimore Colts 14 55 686 12.5 49.0 -- 3 -- -- -- -- 1966 Baltimore Colts 14 50 829 16.6 59.2 -- 9 -- -- -- -- 1965 Baltimore Colts 14 40 814 20.3 58.1 -- 7 -- -- -- -- 1964 Baltimore Colts 14 22 406 18.5 29.0 -- 2 -- -- -- -- 1963 Baltimore Colts 14 35 726 20.7 51.9 -- 7 -- -- -- -- TOTAL 139 331 5,236 15.8 37.7 0 38 0 0 0 0
He will certainly be missed. I bought an authentic gronk jersey in like 2012 or so. Before the Nike release. I had the pleasure of meeting two of his brothers at Patriots Day in Foxboro. Really nice family. Gronk is a MACHINE and I have a feeling if the pats lose some big games this year, he may return for a few games. His agent won't rule it out.
I wonder if the Pats will draft Alabama's tight end in the first round. They just signed SJ for a one year deal. Likely draft a TE high and let them push a 2 tight end set with SJ.
Nope! Since when does winning rings in a, team sport, dictate a player being the greatest at a position? Especially players as soft as Gronk??
‘As soft as Gronk’.........I’m gonna laugh about that phrase all day long.......thanks for the comedy!