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Tom Brady pondered Rob Gronkowski’s career as the mooring announced for the second time that he would retire from the NFL.
Brady posted a tribute to his lifelong teammate on his Instagram account. Together, Brady and Gronkowski won four Super Bowl titles, and the quarterback threw the tight end 84 touchdown passes to the playoffs, the highest for any duo in postseason history.
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Tom Brady # 12 and Rob Gronkowski # 87 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers speak before the game against the Indianapolis Colts at Lucas Oil Stadium on November 28, 2021 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Michael Hickey / Getty Images)
“Teammate, friend, brother, just some of the words that come to mind when I think of @gronk. No one has ever embodied the idea of ’leaving everything on the field’ like Rob throughout his “Snap, I knew no matter how many people you put in front of him, he would come to his place,” Brady wrote on Instagram.
“Even more important is the person he was off the field with. Concentrated when he was supposed to be and had fun the rest of the time. Having Gronk in the locker room was the dream of every NFL player. I’m proud of everything. We’ve done it together, and we’re even more excited about everything in front of us.
“Congratulations Gronk, you deserve it.”
ROB GRONKOWSKI ANNOUNCES NFL RETIREMENT
Rob Gronkowski # 87 of the New England Patriots reacts with Tom Brady # 12 after catching a touchdown pass during the second quarter of a game against the Buffalo Bills at Gillette Stadium on December 24, 2017 in Foxboro, Massachusetts. (Adam Glanzman / Getty Images)
Gronkowski was a second-round pick for the New England Patriots in 2010. In his second season, he led the NFL with 17 touchdown catches and his appearance began to change the way NFL teams use tight ends. .
He would play in 115 games with the Patriots, catching 521 passes for 7,861 yards and scoring 79 touchdowns. He would leave after the 2018 season, citing injury concerns.
However, once Tom Brady left the Patriots for the Buccaneers before the 2020 season, it was enough for Gronkowski to come out of retirement to play in Tampa Bay.
He would help the Buccaneers reach the Super Bowl during that year and score two touchdowns in the game to give Tampa Bay its second title in franchise history.
Last season, Gronkowski only played in 12 games due to injury, and Tampa Bay did not make it to the Super Bowl after winning a division title.
In this archive photo of Sunday, February 7, 2021, Tampa Bay Buccaneers tight-fitting quarterback Rob Gronkowski (87), left, and Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Tom Brady (12) celebrate together after the game NFL Super Bowl 55 football game against the Kansas City Chiefs. in Tampa, Florida (Photo AP / Steve Luciano, file)
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He finished his career with 92 touchdowns and 621 catches for 9,286 yards. His touchdown catches are the third-highest of all time between tight ends, and his receiving yards are the fifth-most important of all time between tight ends.
Ryan Gaydos is the sports editor for Fox News and Fox Business. Story tips can be sent to Ryan.Gaydos@fox.com.