Former New England Patriots tight end Rob Gronkowski spent the first nine seasons of his NFL career with the Patriots before retiring in 2018.
He returned after a year of retirement and was traded to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, reuniting with Tom Brady, with whom he won three Super Bowls.
He recalled Brady as the reason he joined the Buccaneers.
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Gronkowski said:
“He went through that whole process of going through another team I've talked to him we actually threw in February before it all went down and I was like I was actually ready for another opportunity I just wanted you to know, test the market see what was out there go to another team and just see what it was all about actually told him man if you go to another team and I possibly beat down to go with you, you go through the process you do you I mean, I'm not putting no pressure on you pick whatever team you want to pick man after he made it."
Gronk added that he didn't know much about the Bucs or their team when Brady joined but did his research and found them to be pretty epic.
He said:
"It was something I was looking at like two other teams, though. And then he went to the Buccaneers. I was like, I don't even know anything about the Buccaneers. When he went there, man. I just did my research. And I was like, Man, this team is pretty epic, actually. I mean, they got a team or a new opportunity. I just felt like it was the right decision to you know, go back to football and go out and try it on a new team after that year. I mean, obviously, it worked out very well."
Gronk came out of retirement and forced a trade from New England to Tampa Bay.
Tom Brady and Rob Gronkowski had a few productive years in Tampa Bay winning a Super Bowl together
The two joined the Tampa Bay Buccaneers together in the 2020 season.
Gronkowski recorded 45 receptions for 623 yards and seven touchdowns while scoring two touchdowns in the post-season, including one in the Super Bowl. Brady threw for 40 touchdowns and over 4,600 yards that season while earning his league-record seventh Super Bowl victory.
Brady led the league in passing yards and touchdowns the following season. Gronk finished with 802 yards and six touchdowns.
Gronk retired after the team lost in the divisional round to the Rams. Brady announced his retirement the following season after the Buccaneers were defeated by the Cowboys on wildcard weekend.
If you use any of the above quotes, please credit Rob Gronkowski, TikTok, and H/T Sportskeeda
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