Rob Gronkowski retired from football at the end of the 2018-19 NFL campaign because of persistent health and injury issues. But here we are, in April 2020, and Gronkowski is deciding to give it another go. The tight end came out of retirement and was traded from the New England Patriots to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers earlier this week.
So, is the tight end now ready for the physical nature of the sport again? It seems like he is:
"I wouldn't comeback unless I'm feeling good, feeling healthy. This is the time." – Rob Gronkowski, new #Buccaneers TE.
— Mike Giardi (@MikeGiardi) April 22, 2020
Gronkowski, who weighed 265 pounds during his playing time with the Patriots, says he is at 250 now, per Jenna Laine of ESPN.com. However, he says that getting the extra weight back won't be a problem, noting that it's just a matter of doing little things like adding almond butter to his protein shakes.
The five-time Pro Bowler added that he didn't have “the fire” to play this past year and that his body needed rest, according to Karen Guregian of The Boston Herald.
During Zoom conference, Rob Gronkowski said he didn’t have “the fire” to play last year. His body needed the rest
— Karen Guregian (@kguregian) April 22, 2020
Gronkowski broke into the NFL as a a second-round pick of New England back in 2010. It didn't take him long to establish himself as one of the league's most dynamic threats, as he hauled in 90 receptions for 1,327 yards and 17 touchdowns as soon as his second season.
Throughout his time with the Pats, Gronkowski collected three Super Bowl rings, although it should be mentioned that injuries prevented him from playing in the Patriots' championship win over the Atlanta Falcons in February 2017.
During his most recent season in 2018, Gronkowski caught 47 passes for 682 yards and three touchdowns. He's hoping to return to his peak form now that he's back with Tom Brady, this time with the Buccaneers.
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