New England Patriots tight end Rob Gronkowski announced his retirement Sunday in a surprise Instagram post. “It all started at 20 years old on stage at the NFL draft when my dream came true, and now here I am about to turn 30 in a few months with a decision I feel is the biggest of my life so far,” he wrote. “I will be retiring from the game of football today.” Gronkowski, who’s played for the Patriots since he was first drafted in 2010, thanked head coach Bill Belichick and owner Robert Kraft, among others, for helping him learn “the great values of life.” Since Gronkowski was drafted, the team has won three Super Bowl wins—including the 2019 title. “Cheers to all who have been a part of this journey,” he added, “cheers to the past for the incredible memories, and a HUGE cheers for the uncertain of what’s next.”
