Thank you for everything Gronk.

Rob Gronkowski, #87, announced his retirement on Sunday, March 24th. Picture from Sports Illustrated https://www.si.com/nfl/2019/02/04/rob-gronkowski-retirement-super-bowl-2019-patriots-rams 

"Yo Soy Fiesta." Teddy Bear. 6-foot-6 second grader. Game changer. Twinkle Toes. Gronk.

Rob Gronkowski was drafted to the NFL in 2010 in the 42nd pick to play for the New England Patriots. He was a former player at the University of Arizona, while being one of four brothers to play a sport professionally.

He quickly became one of the most well-known players on the team, and Brady's go to tight end. Throughout his career in the NFL, Gronk had 79 receiving touch downs while having 7,861 receiving yards. In the 9 years he played for the Patriots, he won 3 Super Bowls and became a 5x pro bowler. He was in the Top 100 in the NFL 7 times, and was the 2011 NFL receiving touchdowns' leader, as well as the 2014 NFL Comeback Player of the year.

Gronk suffered a number of injuries throughout his time on the Patriots, major injuries included his back (which he received surgery on), as well as his forearm and ACL. But throughout every injury that Gronk endured through, he always managed an extraordinary comeback.

During the 2018-2019 season, there was major talk and speculation about Gronk retiring from the NFL. After winning his third Super Bowl, the tight end was not sure if he would return to play another year. He was mainly focused on celebrating yet another Super Bowl win with his team.

On Sunday, March 24th, Gronk announced his retirement on instagram, saying "It's time to move forward and move forward with a big smile knowing that the New England Patriots Organizations, Pats Nation, and all my fans will be truly a big part of my heart for the rest of my life. It was truly an incredible honor to play for such a great established organization and able to come in to continue and contribute to keep building success. To all my current and past teammates, thank you for making each team every year special to be apart of. I will truly miss you guys. Cheers to all who have been apart of this journey, cheers to the past for the incredible memories, and a HUGE cheers to the uncertain of what's next." (via Instagram/ @gronk)

Other past and current players for the New England Patriots posted on social media only soon after the sad announcement:

"Congratulations to the best TE to ever play the game. I will always cherish the laughs and the pain we caused each other in One on Ones." -Rob Ninkovich (via Instagram/@nink50)

"The other G.O.A.T." -Julian Edelman (via Instagram/@edelman11)

"The trillest! Honored to have played with the best ever!" -James White (via Instagram/@sweetfeet)

"He makes any quarterback look good," Tom Brady and Rob Gronkowski are one of the greatest tight end, quarterback duos in the NFL. Picture from Sports Illustrated https://www.si.com/nfl/2016/05/13/rob-gronkowski-tom-brady-deflategate-suspension-new-england-patriots

"Your fun-loving, inspiring, and positive energy made an impact on everybody you came into contact with. The NFL was a better place with you in it," said quarterback Tom Brady on instagram, "But I have no doubt you will be a success in anything you do!!! Love you pal!" 

And no doubt the NFL was a better place with Gronk in it. Gronk's unbelievable charity work was often never mentioned throughout the tight end's career. He has made regular appearances at schools, hospitals, and charity events and has donated millions of dollars to many charities and hospitals throughout New England. The Gronk Nation Youth Foundation, created by Gronk himself, is dedicated to inspiring the youth to reach their maximum potential in everything they do.

"I don't think that Rob has ever had a bad day," owner Rob Kraft said. "His happy, go-lucky attitude is infectious, which makes him a great ambassador when he is out in the community."

From Pats Nation 
From the start of his career to the end, I got to witness a young player in the NFL become one of the greatest to ever play the game. Gronk was my favorite player when I first started to follow the team so many years ago. I enjoyed watching him dance and Gronk spike every time he made a touch down at the end of the field. I got to see him play many times, and got to even meet him when I was only a junior in high school.

Gronk was more than just a tight end for the team. He was apart of a family that hold football and the game so close to their hearts. No one knew how it could be the same without a guy like Gronk to play for the Patriots. We all waited anxiously for the inevitable to happen, and now the time has finally come.

Although we won't be able to witness his goofy and infectious smile on the field anymore, see him go wild at an event, watch him catch a crazy pass from Brady, or even cover a huge line backer after Edelman: the name Gronk will be apart of the Patriots' Dynasty forever.

Gronk created the Patriots to be what they are today. And without him, the Patriots just wouldn't be the Patriots.

Rob Gronkowski was special, and a player like no other.

Patriots nation thanks you for all you've done. And we congratulate you on an amazing career.

Gronk, "no one quite did it like you did."

Rob Gronkowski won 3 Super Bowl rings during his time at New England. Picture from Pats Militia http://patsmilitia.com/rob-gronkowski-cleared-for-super-bowl/