Rob Gronkowski has come out of retirement once already, reuniting with former New England Patriots teammate Tom Brady with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers after initially retiring in 2019.
Gronkowski retired again following the 2021 NFL season. But with Brady now planning to return next season after initially retiring, there has been some speculation that Gronkowski might return to football once again, as well.
The 33-year-old shut down that speculation this week, however, telling ESPN NFL reporter Mike Reiss that he will remain retired and step into the business world.
“I’m done with football. Love the game. Love the game. And definitely blessed with all the opportunities the game of football has given me,” Gronkowski told Reiss. “But done with football and stepping my feet into the business world and business ventures.”
Rob Gronkowski on his transition from football to business, and declaring he will remain retired even if Tom Brady calls … this morning at @iceshakerbottle event in Boston. pic.twitter.com/8pHAOufklX
— Mike Reiss (@MikeReiss) July 12, 2022
Gronkowski said that even if Brady were to call him and attempt to lure him back into the league, he would take the call from his former quarterback, but he would still remain retired.
“I would obviously answer the greatest quarterback of all time. Ask him how he’s doing and tell him I’m doing good,” Gronkowski said. “But I wouldn’t go back to football, no.”
The next time he returns to an NFL stadium, Gronkowski said it will be as a fan and a spectator.
“Come back to tailgate, there you go,” Gronkowski joked.
