Foxborough, Mass. – Fans of the New England Patriots filled Patriot Place Plaza on Saturday for a free, public ceremony celebrating the induction of former tight end Rob Gronkowski into the Patriots Hall of Fame. The event, part of the franchise’s 10th‑anniversary reunion weekend for the 2016 Super Bowl LI champions, highlighted Gronkowski’s lasting impact on the team and the community.
Gronkowski’s career highlights
Selected in the second round of the 2010 NFL Draft out of Arizona, Gronkowski spent nine seasons (2010‑2018) with the Patriots. He finished his Patriots career with 521 receptions for 7,861 yards and 79 touchdowns in the regular season, plus 81 receptions for 1,163 yards and 12 touchdowns in the postseason. His 80 total touchdowns – 79 receiving and one rushing – remain the most in Patriots history, while his receiving yardage ranks second.
After retiring in March 2019, Gronkowski returned to the field 13 months later, joining quarterback Tom Brady in Tampa Bay. He helped the Buccaneers capture a fourth Super Bowl title in 2021 before retiring again after the 2022 season.
One‑day contract and Hall of Fame vote
Last November, Gronkowski signed a one‑day contract to retire as a Patriot, officially ending his career where it began. Fans voted him into the Hall of Fame in April, making him the 38th inductee and the fourth consecutive player with at least three Super Bowl championships to receive the honor, following Julian Edelman (2025), Tom Brady (2024) and Mike Vrabel (2023).
Celebration details
The ceremony featured a speech from Gronkowski, who said, “This means a lot to me — big time. I’m a New England Patriot, I’m a Patriot for life. My career started here, it had to end here, no doubt.” The event also introduced the 2016 championship team, who will be honored during the Patriots’ home game against the Green Bay Packers on Sunday, with a halftime celebration planned for Gronkowski.
Team owner Robert Kraft, 85, missed the ceremony and the upcoming game as he recovers from back surgery.
Looking ahead
Patriots fans can look forward to seeing the Hall of Fame inductees and the 2016 team celebrated during the upcoming game, reinforcing the franchise’s tradition of honoring its legends and fostering community pride.
Original reporting: NBC Connecticut — read the source article.
