Although Rob Gronkowski is now in the Super Bowl with the Buccaneers, he certainly isn't forgetting his nine seasons in New England.
“Those years in New England mean everything to me," he said Monday via Zoom as part of the NFL's Opening Night availability. "That’s where I started my career. That’s where the legend of Gronk started. That’s where it boomed. I appreciate those times. I am grateful for all those times. Just everything there. I learned so much throughout those times. I feel like I grew throughout those times throughout my time in New England. I feel like I learned so much information just about the game of football, about the game of life, just everything overall throughout my nine years there. My family. my friends that I met throughout my time there. Just the people. Just everything. Just the atmosphere. Those times are appreciated.
"That will always be in a special place in my heart throughout those nine years that I was there. I have definitely taken some of those lessons I’ve learned and brought them with me to the next chapter in my life, too, and it has definitely helped me out to get to where I am now.”
Gronkowski retired following the 2018 season, but came out of retirement last offseason and was traded to Tampa Bay so he could be teammates with Tom Brady again.
The tight end noted Bill Belichick hasn't contacted him at all during his time with the Buccaneers, but he is grateful for the fan support back in New England.
“My friends and family that I have been hearing from, I feel like I get a sense that there’s a lot of people cheering for us," Gronkowski said. "All the friends and family I talk to are always like, ‘Man, there’s so many people cheering for you up here.’ It’s great and it’s good to hear. It’s a sense of relief to hear because when I was there I appreciated everything from the organization to the fans. They have unbelievable fans up there and it is just cool just to hear that they are still watching and when my friends are up there they are like, ‘Yo, everyone is cheering up here for you,' it’s pretty cool.
"It’s pretty cool to be appreciated like that because when I was up there I did give everything I had. I gave everything I had out on the field and I gave everything I had in practice, whatever it was. I gave everything I had when I was at charity events, giving back to the community. It’s definitely special and it settles in a place in my heart when I hear my friends and family say there’s a lot of people up there that are cheering for us and happy for us. It’s definitely pretty special.”
Gronkowski will be going for his fourth Super Bowl when his Bucs take on the Chiefs Sunday night.