Rob Gronkowski will sign a one-day contract to retire as a member of the New England Patriots. Find out the heartfelt reason for Gronkowski’s decision to sign the deal.
Rob Gronkowski to Retire as a Patriot
Are @RobGronkowski and @TomBrady going for the Bucs or Pats today?!
Gronk says he's rooting for New England ahead of signing his one-day contract this week to retire a Patriot! 🙌 pic.twitter.com/OUOxnOfhwy
— FOX Sports: NFL (@NFLonFOX) November 9, 2025
Gronkowski is going out as a Patriot.
The former tight end will sign a one-day contract to retire with the New England Patriots. Gronkowski first announced the news on FOX NFL Sunday.
“I am signing a one-day contract with the Patriots this week, coming up to retire as a Patriot and be a Patriot for life,” Gronkowski said.
Gronkowski previously retired twice: once in 2019 with the Patriots and then in 2022 with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. The tight end will now make his retirement permanent by signing a one-day contract on Nov. 12.
The reason behind the one-day contract is extremely touching. Susan Hurley was a local philanthropist who recently lost her battle with ovarian cancer on Nov. 1. Hurley was 62.
Gronkowski worked with Hurley on several charitable projects. This past summer, Gronkowski donated nearly $2 million to build a playground in Boston. During the ceremony, Hurley said, “Can we just make it official and sign him for a day so he can retire as a Patriot?”
Patriots owner Robert Kraft got word of the idea and loved it. “I like that a lot, and the reason that we’re really going to do that is because of Susan Hurley,” Kraft said.
Gronkowski shared a thoughtful tribute to Hurley on his X account.
“We lost a good one this weekend. My family and I have known Susan Hurley for a long time. She was a great friend who supported us and our foundation more than words can express,” Gronkowski wrote. “Her smile, positivity, and strength inspired everyone, even while fighting cancer. Without Susan, there would be no Gronk Playground. Her legacy lives on through every kid it impacts each day.”
We lost a good one this weekend. My family and I have known Susan Hurley for a long time. She was a great friend who supported us and our foundation more than words can express.
Even more importantly, she helped countless Boston Marathon charity teams support so many great… pic.twitter.com/Q69XFRbzk6
— Rob Gronkowski (@RobGronkowski) November 5, 2025
Rob Gronkowski’s Hall of Fame Resume
The greatest tight end in @NFL history is retiring a Patriot!
Watch @RobGronkowski sign his one-day contract this Wednesday at 12:15 PM LIVE on Patriots digital & social. pic.twitter.com/fXOwNHDtFq
— New England Patriots (@Patriots) November 10, 2025
Gronkowski is a lock to make the Pro Football Hall of Fame. He will be eligible for the 2027 class.
Widely considered one of the greatest tight ends, Gronkowski is a member of the NFL’s 100th Anniversary All-Time Team.
Gronkowski finished his career with 621 receptions, 9,286 yards, and 92 touchdowns. Gronkowski is a four-time Super Bowl champion and became known for his postseason prowess — 93 catches for 1,389 yards and 15 touchdowns.
Fans can watch Gronkowski’s retirement ceremony on the Patriots’ social media channels at 12:15 p.m. ET on Nov. 12.
