Rob Gronkowski returns to the Patriots, honoring late friend

The New England Patriots have announced a signing, bringing back former star Rob Gronkowski on a ceremonial one-day contract.

Gronkowski played for the Patriots from 2010 to 2018, winning three Super Bowls, before finishing his career with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. He added a fourth ring with the Buccaneers but was denied the opportunity to retire with the Patriots

Last weekend the team announced that Gronkowski would sign a ceremonial deal with New England, allowing him to fulfill the wish of a close friend who died of cancer earlier this month. The idea was suggested by Susan Hurley, a local philanthropist who worked closely with Gronkowski on a series of charity initiatives in New England.

Hurley was battling ovarian cancer and passed away on November 1, at the age of 62. During a recent charity appearance alongside Gronkowski, Patriot fan Hurley had suggested a ceremonial return for the legendary tight end.

“Can we just make it official and sign him for a day so he can retire as a Patriot?” Hurley had asked at the unveiling ceremony for a new playground in Boston, which Gronkowski had helped to fund with a $1.8 million donation.

Gronkowski’s Patriots return will come on Wednesday, November 13 with a special ceremony streamed live on the team’s digital and social media channels. Speaking about the idea, Gronkowski said that he was delighted to have the opportunity to retire as a New England Patriot: “I like that a lot, and the reason that we’re really going to do that is because of Susan Hurley.”

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