Rob Gronkowski inducted into Patriots Hall of Fame at ceremony in Foxboro
By Matt Schooley, Paul Burton
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FOXBORO, Massachusetts (WBZ) — Rob Gronkowski received his red jacket on Saturday as he was inducted into the Patriots Hall of Fame during a ceremony outside of Gillette Stadium in Foxboro.
The legendary New England Patriots tight end was selected for induction after topping kicker Adam Vinatieri and offensive lineman Logan Mankins in fan voting.
Patriots President Johnathan Kraft presented Gronkowski with his red jacket.
“This honor today means everything to me, the hard work, the injuries, the surgeries, the good times, the difficult times, it’s all worth it to me now,” Gronkowski said during his induction speech.
“Playing football in the NFL was the ultimate dream, but being able to play for the best football organization in history, I could have not been in a better situation, and wouldn’t change a single thing,” he said. “Being a Patriot to me, means being a part of something bigger than yourself. It means more than just playing football.”
Though Patriots owner Robert Kraft did not attend the ceremony because he’s recovering from multiple back surgeries, he sent in a video congratulating Gronkowski.
“Gronk, I love you man since the first day we drafted you I could see you on stage with your dad and your brothers and you became family,” Robert Kraft said. “The pain of missing this celebration and having the privilege of putting you into the hall of fame with a red jacket is so disappointing to me.”
Gronkowski is eligible for induction into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2027.
Fans react to Gronkowski’s induction Fans packed Patriots Place plaza in Foxboro to take part in Gronkowski’s induction ceremony.
“Seeing Gronk on stage was much needed for the New England Patriots nation. We needed that. We glad he got his coat. We glad he came back and showed his love,” Dennis Daniel told WBZ-TV.
“He was a true patriot. He was there thick and thin. He got us three big wins. He will forever be in my heart,” Jeannie Conway said.
“He’s amazing on the field, obviously he’s so much fun to watch play, but to see him off the field, he’s just a big kid. What you see is what he is and I just wanted to say thank you to him,” said Janice Creedon
Gronkowski made sure to thank fans after the ceremony.
“We wouldn’t be here without all these fans and I thank them all for coming out and cheering me on, chanting my name, chanting all the other past inductees’ names. Look they’re going crazy right now. We love you guys,” Gronk said
Rob Gronkowski receives red jacket Gronkowski played nine seasons with the Patriots after he was drafted in the second round out of Arizona in the 2010 NFL Draft.
The tight end won three Super Bowls with the Patriots and another with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
“I doubt there will ever be another Patriot run in football like the dynasty I was a part of,” Gronkowski said during his speech.
Gronkowski racked up 521 receptions, 7,861 yards and 79 touchdowns for the Patriots in the regular season. In addition, he had 81 catches for 1,163 yards and 12 scores in his postseason career.
Tom Brady, who was inducted into the Patriots Hall of Fame during a ceremony inside the stadium in 2024, was in attendance to watch Gronkowski received his red jacket. Patriots Head Coach Mike Vrabel was also in attendance, along with fellow Patriots Hall of Famers Matt Light, Ty Law, Stanley Morgan, Dante Scarnecchia and Andre Tippett.
Brady will also be part of the Fox Sports broadcast team as the Patriots take on the Green Bay Packers in Foxboro on Sunday.
It marks the first time Brady will be in the booth for a Patriots game. Gronkowski is a part of the Fox pregame show, along with Julian Edelman. Edelman was inducted into the Patriots Hall of Fame last September, along with former head coach Bill Parcells.
Prior to the game on Sunday, the Patriots will honor the 10th anniversary of the franchise’s Super Bowl LI win. New England famously erased a 28-3 deficit against the Atlanta Falcons to win that Super Bowl.
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