Rob Gronkowski Signs One-Day Deal with Patriots to Retire, Fulfilling Friend's Last Wish

New England Patriots legend Rob Gronkowski, the 36-year-old tight end, has signed a one-day contract with the franchise to officially retire with the team. This gesture fulfills the dying wish of his long-time charity partner, Susan Hurley, a former Patriots cheerleader and founder of CharityTeams, who passed away from cancer earlier this month. Gronkowski, a second-round pick in the 2010 draft, won three Super Bowls with the Patriots alongside Tom Brady during an eight-year stint, and later a fourth championship with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers after coming out of a 2019 retirement. Patriots owner Robert Kraft praised Gronkowski's "legendary" clutch performances and "larger than life personality." Gronkowski, who is third all-time among tight ends with 92 received touchdowns, is slated for the Patriots' Hall of Fame in 2026 and stated honoring Hurley was an "absolute no-brainer."