Gronk's playoff stat line alone is insane! He played 16 total playoff games (the equivalent of a full NFL regular season) and he caught 81 passed for a total of 1,163 yards and 12 TD's. No TE is ever going to approach his numbers in the playoffs. Pats fans always knew that if the team went into a playoff game with a healthy Gronk then there was a very good chance of victory. And winning playoff games is what its all about in New England.
Pats fans know the abuse Gronk's body has absorbed over the years. Nobody took bigger shots or had his legs targeted like Gronk. Some have some faint hope that this isn't truly the end though. We remember All-World tight end Russ Francis "retiring" after the 1980 season only to come back to play several more seasons (but for another team). I don't think that's in store for Gronk though because he has two things Francis never had - championship rings and close to $60 million in career earnings. People with those things in hand don't need to return to prove anything.
Gronk will be remembered both as the greatest TE to ever play the game but also as a great person. The amount of charity work Gronk quietly did over the years (especially for children) would be almost impossible to properly document.
The playful teammate will also be greatly missed. My guess is you'll see many "Gronk spikes" after TD's next season in tribute. I for one can't wait to see what outfit he picks out for this year's Kentucky Derby.
Robert Kraft's and Bill Belichick statements on Gronk's decision to retire
Tom E. Curran has a nice appreciation of Gronk's decision to retire.
The Boston Herald's Kevin Duffy has a nice appreciation of Gronk's decision to retire
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