While former New England Patriots tight end Rob Gronkowski is seemingly happy living the retired life, that doesn’t mean that New England won’t always hold a special place for him. During an event at Gillette Stadium this weekend, Gronkowski described just how much he loved the community.

At the annual “Buzz Off For Kids With Cancer” event, which Gronkowski has been participating in for nine years, Gronkowski described just how much love he has for the Patriots and New England community as he got his hair shaved down.

“I love the New England community. They’re something special. The support, not even on the field, but off the field, too, New England will always be special. It will always have a big part in my heart and always have much love,” he said via the Boston Herald. “All the people around in the New England area, and here today, just the support and love they show is something special. That’s why it’s great to continue this, and continue the relationships, and keep giving back.”

While Gronkowski has somewhat put to bed any rumors that he would come back to the NFL, it seems as if the superstar tight end is happy to continue lending his star power and name to charities, even if he isn’t playing football anymore.

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“Just because I’m not playing doesn’t mean I can’t give back to anything. You can do more, actually,” said Gronkowski. “Keep going out there, helping kids out. Inspiring them, just be part of it, supportive.”

Although he may be remembered by many as one of the best tight ends to ever play football, Gronkowski’s charitable nature and ability to never take himself seriously was a huge part of what made him so popular.

With Gronkowski now retired, he’s able to keep those two things active even if it’s not in an NFL setting, and those in the New England community can rest easy knowing he’ll likely never stop visiting.