FOXBORO, Mass. — One of the greatest tight ends in NFL history is officially retiring as a New England Patriot.
Rob Gronkowski will sign a one-day ceremonial contract at Gillette Stadium on Wednesday afternoon, cementing his legacy as a Patriot for life.
The signing is scheduled for 12:15 p.m. Watch live:
It comes sooner than expected thanks to a heartfelt request from a close friend.
Gronkowski credits Susan Hurley, who recently passed away from ovarian cancer, for inspiring him to make this happen now. Hurley suggested the idea back in August when Gronkowski opened a new Boston playground funded by his $1.8 million donation.
Gronkowski became emotional at the time, saying the project was inspired by Hurley’s battle with cancer.
Gronkowski first announced the news during the NFL on FOX broadcast this past Sunday, saying, “I am signing a one-day contract with the Patriots this week to retire as a Patriot and be a Patriot for life.”
Hurley’s wish was for Gronkowski to retire as a Patriot, and she even asked team owner Robert Kraft to make it official.
Gronkowski will be eligible for the Patriots Hall of Fame next year.
Gronkowski spent nine seasons with the Patriots, serving as one of Tom Brady’s favorite and most reliable targets, as he racked up 521 receptions, 7,861 yards, and 79 touchdowns over 115 games.
The University of Arizona product won three Super Bowls with the Patriots, XLIX in 2015, LI in 2017, and LIII in 2019.
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Super Bowl LIII - New England Patriots v Los Angeles Rams ATLANTA, GA - FEBRUARY 03: Rob Gronkowski #87 of the New England Patriots celebrates his team's victory in the Super Bowl LIII at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on February 3, 2019 in Atlanta, Georgia. The New England Patriots defeat the Los Angeles Rams 13-3. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images) (Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)
New England Patriots v Indianapolis Colts INDIANAPOLIS, IN - NOVEMBER 16: Rob Gronkowski #87 of the New England Patriots celebrates his touchdown against the Indianapolis Colts during the fourth quarter of the game at Lucas Oil Stadium on November 16, 2014 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images) (Joe Robbins/Getty Images)
Miami Dolphins v New England Patriots FOXBORO, MA - NOVEMBER 26: Tom Brady #12 reacts with Rob Gronkowski #87 of the New England Patriots after a touchdown during the third quarter of a game against the Miami Dolphins at Gillette Stadium on November 26, 2017 in Foxboro, Massachusetts. (Photo by Jim Rogash/Getty Images) (Jim Rogash/Getty Images)
Super Bowl LII - Philadelphia Eagles v New England Patriots MINNEAPOLIS, MN - FEBRUARY 04: Tom Brady #12 and Rob Gronkowski #87 of the New England Patriots celebrate a 5-yard touchdown against the Philadelphia Eagles in the third quarter of Super Bowl LII at U.S. Bank Stadium on February 4, 2018 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images) (Elsa/Getty Images)
New England Patriots v Houston Texans HOUSTON, TX - DECEMBER 01: Rob Gronkowski #87 of the New England Patriots works out on the field before the game against the Houston Texans at Reliant Stadium on December 1, 2013 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Scott Halleran/Getty Images) (Scott Halleran/Getty Images)
San Francisco Giants v Boston Red Sox BOSTON, MA - JULY 19: Rob Gronkowski of the New England Patriots prepares to throw out the first pitch before the game between the Boston Red Sox and the San Francisco Giants at Fenway Park on July 19, 2016 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images) (Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)
Super Bowl LII - Philadelphia Eagles v New England Patriots MINNEAPOLIS, MN - FEBRUARY 04: Rob Gronkowski #87 of the New England Patriots celebrates his 4-yard fourth quarter touchdown reception against the Philadelphia Eagles in Super Bowl LII at U.S. Bank Stadium on February 4, 2018 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images) (Elsa/Getty Images)
Kansas City Chiefs v New England Patriots FOXBOROUGH, MA - OCTOBER 14: Tom Brady #12 talks to Rob Gronkowski #87 of the New England Patriots after a victory over the Kansas City Chiefs at Gillette Stadium on October 14, 2018 in Foxborough, Massachusetts. (Photo by Adam Glanzman/Getty Images) (Adam Glanzman/Getty Images)
New York Jets v New England Patriots FOXBORO, MA - DECEMBER 31: Rob Gronkowski #87 of the New England Patriots looks on before the game against the New York Jets at Gillette Stadium on December 31, 2017 in Foxboro, Massachusetts. (Photo by Jim Rogash/Getty Images) (Jim Rogash/Getty Images)
Divisional Round - Los Angeles Chargers v New England Patriots FOXBOROUGH, MASSACHUSETTS - JANUARY 13: Tom Brady #12 of the New England Patriots reacts with Rob Gronkowski #87 during the third quarter in the AFC Divisional Playoff Game against the Los Angeles Chargers at Gillette Stadium on January 13, 2019 in Foxborough, Massachusetts. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images) (Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)
New York Jets v New England Patriots FOXBORO, MA - OCTOBER 25: Rob Gronkowski #87 of the New England Patriots reacts after scoring a touchdown during the fourth quarter against the New York Jets at Gillette Stadium on October 25, 2015 in Foxboro, Massachusetts. (Photo by Jim Rogash/Getty Images) (Jim Rogash/Getty Images)
Divisional Round - Kansas City Chiefs v New England Patriots FOXBORO, MA - JANUARY 16: Rob Gronkowski #87 of the New England Patriots catches a touchdown in the third quarter against Tyvon Branch #27 of the Kansas City Chiefs during the AFC Divisional Playoff Game at Gillette Stadium on January 16, 2016 in Foxboro, Massachusetts. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images) (Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)
Toronto Blue Jays v Boston Red Sox BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS - AUGUST 28: Former New England Patriots players Julian Edelman and Rob Gronkowski throw out the ceremonial first pitch before the game between the Toronto Blue Jays and Boston Red Sox at Fenway Park on August 28, 2024 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images) (Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)
New England Patriots Victory Parade BOSTON, 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) (Billie Weiss/Getty Images)
Super Bowl XLIX - New England Patriots v Seattle Seahawks GLENDALE, AZ - FEBRUARY 01: Rob Gronkowski #87 (L) and Tom Brady #12 of the New England Patriots celebrate while holding up the Vince Lombardi Trophy after defeating the Seattle Seahawks 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) (Rob Carr/Getty Images)
Super Bowl LIII - New England Patriots v Los Angeles Rams ATLANTA, GA - FEBRUARY 03: Rob Gronkowski #87 of the New England Patriots celebrates his team's victory in the Super Bowl LIII at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on February 3, 2019 in Atlanta, Georgia. The New England Patriots defeat the Los Angeles Rams 13-3. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images) (Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)
New England Patriots v New York Jets EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ - OCTOBER 15: Tight end Rob Gronkowski #87 of the New England Patriots scores a touchdown against the New York Jets during the second quarter of their game at MetLife Stadium on October 15, 2017 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Photo by Abbie Parr/Getty Images) (Abbie Parr/Getty Images)
Super Bowl LII - Philadelphia Eagles v New England Patriots MINNEAPOLIS, MN - FEBRUARY 04: Rob Gronkowski #87 of the New England Patriots celebrates his 4-yard fourth quarter touchdown reception against the Philadelphia Eagles in Super Bowl LII at U.S. Bank Stadium on February 4, 2018 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images) (Elsa/Getty Images)
Super Bowl XLIX - New England Patriots v Seattle Seahawks GLENDALE, AZ - FEBRUARY 01: Rob Gronkowski #87 of the New England Patriots catches a 22 yard touchdown pass bagainst K.J. Wright #50 of the Seattle Seahawks in the second quarter during Super Bowl XLIX at University of Phoenix Stadium on February 1, 2015 in Glendale, Arizona. (Photo by Rob Carr/Getty Images) (Rob Carr/Getty Images)
New England Patriots v Miami Dolphins MIAMI, FL - DECEMBER 09: Rob Gronkowski #87 of the New England Patriots celebrates his touchdown in the second quarter against the Miami Dolphins at Hard Rock Stadium on December 9, 2018 in Miami, Florida. (Photo by Mark Brown/Getty Images) (Mark Brown/Getty Images)
Pittsburgh Pirates v Boston Red Sox BOSTON, MA - APRIL 3: Rob Gronkowski #87 and Tom Brady #12 of the New England Patriots enter the field carrying Vince Lombardi trophies 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) (Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)
Toronto Blue Jays v Boston Red Sox BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS - APRIL 09: Former New England Patriots player Rob Gronkowski raises the Lombardi Trophy over his head before the Red Sox home opening game against the Toronto Blue Jays at Fenway Park on April 09, 2019 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images) (Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)
Super Bowl LIII - New England Patriots v Los Angeles Rams ATLANTA, GEORGIA - FEBRUARY 03: Rob Gronkowski #87 of the New England Patriots catches a 29-yard reception in the fourth quarter against the Los Angeles Rams during Super Bowl LIII at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on February 03, 2019 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images) (Patrick Smith/Getty Images)
Gronkowski later took one season off following the 2019 Super Bowl victory, returning to the NFL in 2020 as a member of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, where he again starred alongside Brady.
The dynamic duo powered the Buccaneers to a Super Bowl victory over the Kansas City Chiefs in 2021. In that game, Gronkowski caught two touchdown passes from Brady.
Gronkowski ranks sixth all-time among tight ends with 9,286 total receiving yards and third all-time with 92 total touchdowns, with only Antonio Gates (116 TDs) and Tony Gonzalez (111 TDs) outscoring him.
Gronkowski currently sits second all-time in receiving in Patriots franchise history, trailing only the great Stanley Morgan. Wes Welker, Julian Edelman, and Troy Brown round out the top five.
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