TAMPA, Fla. — Before Rob Gronkowski could become a member of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, the New England Patriots had to relinquish his rights by trading him away. Now that he’s officially a Buccaneer, Gronkowski on Thursday posted a farewell letter on Instagram to the team with whom he spent the nine seasons.
āFirst and foremost, I want to thank the Patriots Organization for everything over the last 10 years. Without Mr. [Robert] Kraft and Coach [Bill] Belichick taking a chance on me in the 2010 draft, I wouldnāt be sitting here in this position in life, THANK YOU both as well my former teammates for everything over the years.
“New England Patriot Fans, you guys have been nothing but amazing. I love you guys and appreciate your constant support for me big time over the last 10 years (even during retirement). THANK YOU all so much, the memories are incredible #PatsNation.”
He also explained why he is coming back one year after announcing his retirement following the 2018 season, one that was marred by chronic pain.
“I am beyond excited for this new chapter in my life. Itās an opportunity I will certainly not take for granted. I said it from the beginning that I wouldnāt come back to the game unless Iām feeling it, feeling healthy, and feeling ready to play. Taking a year off was hands down the best decision I made, not just in my career, but also for my health and well-being, and I would do that all over again.
“And now my fire is back. I am grateful for this new chapter of my career. Iām pumped to get down to Tampa, meet my new teammates, work hard, have a blast doing it, and give it my all this season!! Iām back and ready to lay a smack! #GoBucs!! ARRR!!! š“āā ļøš”
Gronkowski told reporters Wednesday that the time away gave his body a chance to heal and gave him new perspective. The three-time Super Bowl winner spent the past year working in the WWE, becoming the WWE 24/7 champion at WrestleMania 36 in April. Heās down to 250 pounds, which he said puts less stress on his joints. He also was a contestant on āThe Masked Singer.”
āDefinitely going forward, I definitely feel like this is an opportunity to play the game of football and play a whole season the real way that itās supposed to be played. When youāre a young buck, you just go out there, you just do what you gotta do; you donāt really know how to take care of your body; you donāt really know what to do ācause you just have it, youāre a young buck,ā Gronkowski said.
āBut now, being 30 years old, itās gonna be a whole different mindset — itās gonna be a transition that Iāve never done before — and the whole focus is gonna be taking care of my body and doing the best that I can on the football field, and not be distracted by anything else. So Iām excited for that opportunity, and Iām excited to see how I hold up and how I can play throughout a whole season taking care of myself.
Source : ESPN
