Well Bucs fans, it finally happened. Buccaneers tight end Rob Gronkowski announced his retirement from football today after 11 years in the NFL. After playing 9 seasons for the Patriots and 2 for the Buccaneers he was a restricted free agent going into this season with 621 receptions for 9,286 yards and 92 touchdowns. He announced his decision via social media and the internet went crazy in speculations on if Tom Brady can convince him to play again.
After Tom Brady’s retirement stunt earlier this year, Bucs fans are hopeful that there’s still a chance that Gronk will follow in his teammates steps and return before or during the season. In fact, the well respected ESPN reporter Adam Schefter stated that, Gronk’s agent, Drew Rosenhaus, said that Gronk could still come out of retirement “if Tom Brady calls him during the season.” While we don’t want to see the Bucs fall behind in the season, many fans are hoping that Brady can send out a GOAT signal and Gronk will return.
Twitter reacts to the news and reminisces on all the memories with Gronk the only way it knows how. With memes. Here’s a list of our favorites:
What An Iconic Career
4x Super Bowl champ
— B/R Gridiron (@brgridiron) June 21, 2022
5x Pro Bowler
2014 NFL Comeback POY
NFL 2010s All-Decade team
11 seasons
What a career for Gronk 🙌 pic.twitter.com/7AQJuI3UdcRemembering The Fun Times
Never forget Gronk’s greatest spike ever…
— Barstool Sports (@barstoolsports) June 21, 2022
Spiking Steve Harvey’s Lego bust. pic.twitter.com/cSAZtXApyvWho Could Forget This?
Never forget when Tom Brady threw the Lombardi Trophy to Gronk's boat during the Bucs' parade 😂
— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) June 21, 2022
(via _misstwelve/Instagram) pic.twitter.com/QMkGD3UjL0Soooo You're Saying There's A Chance???
https://t.co/CyD9fgMbX6 pic.twitter.com/LzoNJy5KJv
— Tom Brady (@TomBrady) June 21, 2022Some People Are Probably Salty About This
Gronk didn’t mention the Patriots? pic.twitter.com/UoGG3mZV1P
— Barstool Sports (@barstoolsports) June 21, 2022Best Buds
There will only ever be one Gronk.
— Julian Edelman (@Edelman11) June 21, 2022
Love you bro. #FoxboroForever pic.twitter.com/yeqnXqzWVMThis Feels Like Deja Vu
Tom Brady to Gronk when he hears the news about his retirement pic.twitter.com/ua2D8rKbs2
— BetMGM 🦁 (@BetMGM) June 21, 2022I Think I've Seen This Film Before
*Gronk retires*
— Shooter McGavin (@ShooterMcGavin_) June 21, 2022
Brady in September: pic.twitter.com/bQWWwIFI4ZMore Of This In Retirement, Please
Never forget Gronk's biggest performance of his career 😂🐐 pic.twitter.com/56CvMCde1B
— FanDuel (@FanDuel) June 21, 2022Don't Cry Because It's Over, Smile Because It Happened
Gonna miss moments like these from Gronk and Tom ❤️ pic.twitter.com/KG2FI0MbM7
— NFL Films (@NFLFilms) June 21, 2022
20 Of The Gronk-iest Rob Gronkowski Photos
The 2012 ESPY Awards – Arrivals
ShareLOS ANGELES, CA - JULY 11: (L-R) Brothers Dan Gronkowski, Gordie Gronkowski, Rob Gronkowski and Glenn Gronkowski arrive at the 2012 ESPY Awards at Nokia Theatre L.A. Live on July 11, 2012 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Frazer Harrison/Getty Images)
New England Patriots Victory Parade
ShareBOSTON, MA - FEBRUARY 07: Rob Gronkowski of the New England Patriots drinks beer during the Super Bowl victory parade on February 7, 2017 in Boston, Massachusetts. The Patriots defeated the Atlanta Falcons 34-28 in overtime in Super Bowl 51. (Photo by Billie Weiss/Getty Images)
Rob Gronkowski Becomes An Advocate For CBD And Partners With Abacus Health Products, Maker Of CBDMEDIC
ShareNEW YORK, NEW YORK - AUGUST 27: Rob Gronkowski at a press conference announced he is becoming an advocate for CBD and will partner with Abacus Health Products, maker of CBDMEDIC Topical Pain Products on August 27, 2019 in New York City. (Photo by Ilya S. Savenok/Getty Images for CBDMEDIC)
141st Kentucky Derby – General Atmosphere
ShareLOUISVILLE, KY - MAY 02: NFL players Tom Brady (L) and Rob Gronkowski attend the 141st Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs on May 2, 2015 in Louisville, Kentucky. (Photo by Robin Marchant/Getty Images for Churchill Downs)
Super Bowl XLIX – New England Patriots v Seattle Seahawks
ShareGLENDALE, AZ - FEBRUARY 01: Rob Gronkowski #87 of the New England Patriots celebrates while holding up the Vince Lombardi Trophy after defeating the Seattle Seahawks as Tom Brady #12 looks on during Super Bowl XLIX at University of Phoenix Stadium on February 1, 2015 in Glendale, Arizona. The Patriots defeated the Seahawks 28-24. (Photo by Rob Carr/Getty Images)
Athletes And YouTube Stars Team For DOOM Videogame Tournament
ShareHOLLYWOOD, CALIFORNIA - MARCH 29: NFL player Rob Gronkowski attends as athletes and YouTube stars team for DOOM Videogame Tournament at Siren Studios on March 29, 2016 in Hollywood, California. (Photo by Jonathan Leibson/Getty Images for Bethesda Softworks)
New England Patriots Victory Parade
ShareBOSTON, MA - FEBRUARY 07: Rob Gronkowski of the New England Patriots drinks beer during the Super Bowl victory parade on February 7, 2017 in Boston, Massachusetts. The Patriots defeated the Atlanta Falcons 34-28 in overtime in Super Bowl 51. (Photo by Billie Weiss/Getty Images)
The 2012 ESPY Awards – Arrivals
ShareLOS ANGELES, CA - JULY 11: (L-R) Brothers Dan Gronkowski, Gordie Gronkowski, Rob Gronkowski and Glenn Gronkowski arrive at the 2012 ESPY Awards at Nokia Theatre L.A. Live on July 11, 2012 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Frazer Harrison/Getty Images)
New England Patriots Victory Parade
ShareBOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS - FEBRUARY 05: Rob Gronkowski #87 of the New England Patriots celebrates on Cambridge street during the New England Patriots Victory Parade on February 05, 2019 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)
Gronk Beach
ShareMIAMI, FLORIDA - FEBRUARY 01: Rob Gronkowski attends "Gronk Beach" at North Beach Bandshell & Beach Bowl on February 01, 2020 in Miami, Florida. (Photo by Joe Scarnici/Getty Images for Wrangler)
New England Patriots Victory Parade
ShareBOSTON, MA - FEBRUARY 07: Rob Gronkowski of the New England Patriots (R) celebrates during the Super Bowl victory parade on February 7, 2017 in Boston, Massachusetts. The Patriots defeated the Atlanta Falcons 34-28 in overtime in Super Bowl 51. (Photo by Billie Weiss/Getty Images)
Gronkowski Family Foundation Makes Donation To Boston Children’s Hospital With Matt Light And Rob Ninkovich
ShareBOSTON, MA - FEBRUARY 13: Gronkowski Family Foundation makes donation to Boston Children's Hospital at Boston Children's Hospital on February 13, 2019 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Scott Eisen/Getty Images for Boston Children's Hospital)
New England Patriots Victory Parade
ShareBOSTON, MA - FEBRUARY 07: Rob Gronkowski of the New England Patriots drinks beer during the Super Bowl victory parade on February 7, 2017 in Boston, Massachusetts. The Patriots defeated the Atlanta Falcons 34-28 in overtime in Super Bowl 51. (Photo by Billie Weiss/Getty Images)
New England Patriots Victory Parade
ShareBOSTON, MA - FEBRUARY 07: Rob Gronkowski of the New England Patriots celebrates during the Super Bowl victory parade on February 7, 2017 in Boston, Massachusetts. The Patriots defeated the Atlanta Falcons 34-28 in overtime in Super Bowl 51. (Photo by Billie Weiss/Getty Images)
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(Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)
Pittsburgh Pirates v Boston Red Sox
ShareBOSTON, MA - APRIL 3: Rob Gronkowski #87 of the New England Patriots is tackled by Tom Brady #12 after stealing his jersey before the opening day game between the Boston Red Sox and the Pittsburgh Pirates at Fenway Park on April 3, 2017 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)
Pittsburgh Pirates v Boston Red Sox
ShareBOSTON, MA - APRIL 3: Rob Gronkowski of the New England Patriots steals Tom Brady's jersey before the opening day game between the Boston Red Sox and the Pittsburgh Pirates at Fenway Park on April 3, 2017 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)
SiriusXM Music Lounge At 1 Hotel South Beach – Day 2
ShareMIAMI, FL - MARCH 23: Marshmello, New England Patriots tight end Rob Gronkowski, Mojo Rawley, and Martin Garrix attend the SiriusXM Music Lounge at 1 Hotel South Beach on March 23, 2017 in Miami, Florida. (Photo by Gustavo Caballero/Getty Images for SiriusXM)
Washington Wizards v Boston Celtics
ShareBOSTON, MA - DECEMBER 25: Rob Gronkowski #87 of the New England Patriots enjoys the game between the Boston Celtics and Washington Wizards at TD Garden on December 25, 2017 in Boston, Massachusetts. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Omar Rawlings/Getty Images)
Gronkowski Family Foundation Makes Donation To Boston Children’s Hospital With Matt Light And Rob Ninkovich
ShareBOSTON, MA - FEBRUARY 13: Gronkowski Family Foundation makes donation to Boston Children's Hospital at Boston Children's Hospital on February 13, 2019 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Scott Eisen/Getty Images for Boston Children's Hospital)
Gronkowski Family Foundation Makes Donation To Boston Children’s Hospital With Matt Light And Rob Ninkovich
ShareBOSTON, MA - FEBRUARY 13: Gronkowski Family Foundation makes donation to Boston Children's Hospital at Boston Children's Hospital on February 13, 2019 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Scott Eisen/Getty Images for Boston Children's Hospital)
New England Patriots Victory Parade
ShareBOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS - FEBRUARY 05: Rob Gronkowski #87 of the New England Patriots, center, celebrates on Cambridge street during the New England Patriots Victory Parade on February 05, 2019 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)
Nickelodeon Kids’ Choice Sports 2019 – Show
ShareSANTA MONICA, CALIFORNIA - JULY 11: (L-R) David Dobrik, Kel Mitchell, and Rob Gronkowski participate in a challenge onstage during Nickelodeon Kids' Choice Sports 2019 at Barker Hangar on July 11, 2019 in Santa Monica, California. (Photo by Kevin Winter/Getty Images)
New England Patriots Victory Parade
ShareRob Gronkowski drinks beer during the Super Bowl victory parade on February 7, 2017 in Boston, Massachusetts.