New England Patriots First Read

How the Patriots, NFL reacted to the news of Rob Gronkowski’s retirement

By Bernd Buchmasser@BerndBuchmasser Updated Mar 25, 2019, 10:55am EDT

Miami Dolphins v New England Patriots — FOXBORO, MA - NOVEMBER 26: Tom Brady #12 reacts with Rob Gronkowski #87 of the New England Patriots after a touchdown during the third quarter of a game against the Miami Dolphins at Gillette Stadium on November 26, 2017 in Foxboro, Massachusetts. (Photo by Jim Rogash/Getty Images)

For nine years, New England Patriots tight end Rob Gronkowski was one of the game’s most dominant players and unique characters: a fun-loving superstar unlike many if any the league has seen before. Today’s news of his retirement will therefore alter the NFL quite a bit — and the reactions his decision to step away from the game has created reflect just how the future Hall of Famer is viewed by his peers.

Here, we have collected some of them from his now former teammates and other players across the NFL. Feel free to add further statements or posts in the comments if you find them not listed here.

Patriots owner Robert Kraft

Statement from Robert Kraft on @RobGronkowski. pic.twitter.com/l9bLZ4zLEs
— New England Patriots (@Patriots) March 25, 2019

Patriot head coach Bill Belichick

Statement from Bill Belichick on @RobGronkowski. pic.twitter.com/aSivcAkF3u
— New England Patriots (@Patriots) March 25, 2019

Patriots offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels

Statement from Josh McDaniels on @RobGronkowski: https://t.co/lxogPSX0mU pic.twitter.com/YkVsyY9JHB
— New England Patriots (@Patriots) March 25, 2019

Patriots quarterback Tom Brady

View this post on Instagram

What an honor and privledge to play with you these past nine years @gronk! You accomplished so much and our team was almost unbeatable when you were on the field! Your fun-loving, inspiring, and positive energy made an impact on everybody you came into contact with! Not just that, but for as great as a player you are, you are a better teammate and person. The NFL was a better place with you in it! But I have no doubt you will be a success in anything you do!!! Love you pal!

A post shared by Tom Brady (@tombrady) on Mar 24, 2019 at 4:01pm PDT

Patriots wide receiver Julian Edelman

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The other goat #gronk

A post shared by Julian Edelman (@edelman11) on Mar 24, 2019 at 3:30pm PDT

Patriots wide receiver Josh Gordon

I mean, Josh is right, we are pic.twitter.com/C7JQF8hORm
— Matt/Goose (@SomeCallMeGoose) March 24, 2019

Patriots running back James White

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The trillest! Honored to have played with the best ever!

A post shared by James White (@sweetfeet) on Mar 24, 2019 at 4:11pm PDT

Patriots running back Rex Burkhead

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The best to ever do it. Congrats on a great career brotha and enjoy the next chapter!

A post shared by Rex Burkhead (@rbrex34) on Mar 24, 2019 at 4:29pm PDT

Patriots running back Sony Michel

Toast up !! @RobGronkowski #salute pic.twitter.com/f7kQl6qMOl
— Sony Michel (@Flyguy2stackz) March 24, 2019

Patriots linebacker Kyle Van Noy

My guy!!! @RobGronkowski Robbbbyyyyyy Ggggggg! Much love homie! I’m happy that you get to leave the game on your own terms. You are the Best TE ever to play the game! Can’t wait to see what you do next..... #RobbyGradio #GOAT
— Kyle Van Noy (@KVN_03) March 24, 2019

Patriots safety Devin McCourty

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2010 Drafted together and now 9 years later 3x super bowl champs. Man I’ve appreciated you as a teammate and leader...fighting through everything. CONGRATS...Enjoy retirement.. #firstballot Dmac

A post shared by Jason+Devin McCourty (@mccourtytwins) on Mar 24, 2019 at 3:50pm PDT

Patriots safety Patrick Chung

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Where do I start @gronk ....First thing congrats man, you deserve this. All the work and sacrifice I’ve seen you go through for 9 years. And doing it with a smile on your face! Thank you for making football fun for 9 years, with your good but bad dance moves! Thank you for making me the player I am. I’m not doing any of this shit without your help and work ethic. From rookie years to 9-10 years later. Betting $100 a day for winner that day in practice. Dreading practice but we keep pushing and worked through it Haha. I owe most my career to you and things I’m able to do on the field man. I’ve said it before, and it won’t change. Thank you. Enjoy retirement! Dance your ass off, keep smiling, being a clown, love life. I’ll join ya soon! Love you man! The greatest to ever do it! #bigchung from #littlegronk

A post shared by Patrick Chung (@23patrickchung) on Mar 25, 2019 at 4:14am PDT

Patriots cornerback Keion Crossen

Happy Retirement @RobGronkowski Appreciate you bro, now go dance all you want
— Keion Crossen (@KeionCrossen) March 24, 2019

Free agent wide receiver Chris Hogan

Congrats @RobGronkowski on a incredible career brotha! BEAST MODE!!!
— Chris Hogan (@ChrisHogan_15) March 25, 2019

Ex-Patriots punter Zoltan Mesko

@RobGronkowski congrats and proud of all you’ve accomplished! Nothing but the very best to say about you as a human. Thanks for putting a hell of a dent into the game. Onward and upward brother! #GoGronk
— Zoltan Mesko (@ZoltanMesko) March 24, 2019

Ex-Patriots running back Stevan Ridley

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I'll keep it short and sweet. You're the best to ever do it, trust me I saw that with my own two eyes. Plus the numbers don’t lie. You are a champion, a best friend, and an incredible person. Also the heart you have for the youth I admire most. Big Fella, thank you for the memories and also paving highways for the KiD to roll through! You're my dawg dawg for life! Love you bro! @gronk

A post shared by KiD-RiD (@stevanridley) on Mar 24, 2019 at 5:16pm PDT

Lions wide receiver Danny Amendola

To the most genuine man I’ve ever met. I love your hugs. Spikes. Buses. And I’ll never forget our trips home. LFG bro. @RobGronkowski #potatoesacker pic.twitter.com/nTljvEiRGz
— Danny Amendola (@DannyAmendola) March 25, 2019

Texans defensive edge J.J. Watt

Congrats on an incredible career @RobGronkowski. One of the best to ever do it. Best wishes on whatever comes next!
— JJ Watt (@JJWatt) March 24, 2019

Jets running back Le’Veon Bell

thank youu for the amazing moments @RobGronkowski
— Le'Veon Bell (@LeVeonBell) March 24, 2019

Jets CEO Christopher Johnson

Jets Christopher Johnson on Grink’s retirement: “It’s obviously good news for the Jets.... But taking a step back, I’m going to miss him as a player, because he’s absolutely magnificent. If I could take a player off this (or that) team, he’s 1 of top players I wish were a Jet”
— Manish Mehta (@MMehtaNYDN) March 25, 2019

Panthers tight end Greg Olsen

For the past 9 years, after each week, one of the first guys reception targets I would go watch was @RobGronkowski. Some stuff I would steal, other stuff only he could do. Incredible career and enjoy what’s next. See you in canton

— Greg Olsen (@gregolsen88) March 24, 2019

Chris Gronkowski

Congrats to my little, I mean younger, bro. Unreal career that entertained and impressed everyone that got to watch. pic.twitter.com/2TpPNsgaer
— Chris Gronkowski (@Chrisgronkowski) March 24, 2019

Camille Kostek

❤️
— Camille Kostek (@camillekostek) March 25, 2019

Pats Pulpit Live: Rob Gronkowski Retirement
Pats Pulpit Live: Breaking News Edition -- Rob Gronkowski hangs em' up after a Hall of Fame career!
Posted by Pats Pulpit: For New England Patriots News on Sunday, March 24, 2019