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Teammates and more react to Rob Gronkowski's retirement

The Patriots tight end announced his retirement on Instagram Sunday night, and people were quick to honor his career.

Mar 25, 2019 at 08:31 AM

Angelique Fiske

Lifestyle Editor

There's no better way to go out than as a champion, and Rob Gronkowski did exactly that. Gronk announced his retirement with a touching post on Instagram.

Throughout his NFL career, Gronk earned the respect of his teammates, players, coaches, media members and fans, and many took to social media to share their well wishes. From Tom Brady and Devin McCourty to Brandin Cooks and Le'Veon Bell, the outpouring of support and gratitude for Gronk is exactly the exit he deserves.

The three-time Super Bowl champion garnered respect around the league, and you can check out the messages to Gronk below.

View this post on Instagram

What an honor and privilege to play with you these past nine years @gronk! You accomplished so much and our team was almost unbeatable when you were on the field! Your fun-loving, inspiring, and positive energy made an impact on everybody you came into contact with! Not just that, but for as great as a player you are, you are a better teammate and person. The NFL was a better place with you in it! But I have no doubt you will be a success in anything you do!!! Love you pal!

A post shared by Tom Brady (@tombrady) on Mar 24, 2019 at 4:01pm PDT

Statement from Bill Belichick on @RobGronkowski. pic.twitter.com/aSivcAkF3u
— New England Patriots (@Patriots) March 25, 2019

The other goat 🐐 #gronk pic.twitter.com/FzCfT38BjR
— Julian Edelman (@Edelman11) March 24, 2019

View this post on Instagram

The trillest! Honored to have played with the best ever! 🐐

A post shared by James White (@sweetfeet) on Mar 24, 2019 at 4:11pm PDT

View this post on Instagram

2010 Drafted together and now 9 years later 3x super bowl champs. Man I’ve appreciated you as a teammate and leader...fighting through everything. CONGRATS...Enjoy retirement.. #firstballot Dmac

A post shared by Jason+Devin McCourty (@mccourtytwins) on Mar 24, 2019 at 3:50pm PDT

No Doubt...need a seat on the Gronk bus lol -Dmac https://t.co/RTSENXZlsD
— Devin&Jason McCourty (@McCourtyTwins) March 24, 2019

View this post on Instagram

Where do I start @gronk ....First thing congrats man, you deserve this. All the work and sacrifice I’ve seen you go through for 9 years. And doing it with a smile on your face! Thank you for making football fun for 9 years, with your good but bad dance moves! Thank you for making me the player I am. I’m not doing any of this shit without your help and work ethic. From rookie years to 9-10 years later. Betting $100 a day for winner that day in practice. Dreading practice but we keep pushing and worked through it Haha. I owe most my career to you and things I’m able to do on the field man. I’ve said it before, and it won’t change. Thank you. Enjoy retirement! Dance your ass off, keep smiling, being a clown, love life. I’ll join ya soon! Love you man! The greatest to ever do it! #bigchung from #littlegronk

A post shared by Patrick Chung (@23patrickchung) on Mar 25, 2019 at 4:14am PDT

View this post on Instagram

Was an honor and privilege to play with you bro! You were a great player, great leader, great teammate and great person. Gonna miss playing with you on sundays but gonna miss you in the locker room even more. Enjoy retirement because you earned it my brotha! #GreatestTightend #FirstBallot

A post shared by Duron Harmon (@dharm21) on Mar 24, 2019 at 5:28pm PDT

View this post on Instagram

The best to ever do it. Congrats on a great career brotha and enjoy the next chapter!

A post shared by Rex Burkhead (@rbrex34) on Mar 24, 2019 at 4:29pm PDT

Congrats @RobGronkowski on a incredible career brotha! BEAST MODE!!!
— Chris Hogan (@ChrisHogan_15) March 25, 2019

View this post on Instagram

@gronk what can I say big bro? Great career even better person. All around true pro. Love you big bro enjoy it cause WE all enjoyed watching you🤟🏾🤟🏾

A post shared by Brandon Bolden (@bbhulksmash) on Mar 24, 2019 at 5:42pm PDT

View this post on Instagram

Toast up !! 🐐#salute

A post shared by Sony Michel (@flyguy2stackz) on Mar 24, 2019 at 3:41pm PDT

My guy!!! @RobGronkowski Robbbbyyyyyy Ggggggg! Much love homie! I’m happy that you get to leave the game on your own terms. You are the Best TE ever to play the game! Can’t wait to see what you do next..... #RobbyGradio #GOAT
— Kyle Van Noy (@KVN_03) March 24, 2019

View this post on Instagram

What a career! It was an absolute joy to be your teammate over the past 3 years..your love of the game and and dedication was nothing short of remarkable! Best of luck in the next chapter

A post shared by JosephThuney (@josephthuney) on Mar 24, 2019 at 5:03pm PDT

To the most genuine man I’ve ever met. I love your hugs. Spikes. Buses. And I’ll never forget our trips home. LFG bro. @RobGronkowski #potatoesacker pic.twitter.com/nTljvEiRGz
— Danny Amendola (@DannyAmendola) March 25, 2019

Who is the youngest dude ever to get inducted in the HOF because Gronk shouldn’t wait long.
— Chris Long (@JOEL9ONE) March 25, 2019

View this post on Instagram

Roger Murtaugh: Guess what? Martin Riggs: What? Roger Murtaugh: I don't want to work with you! Martin Riggs: Hey, don't. Roger Murtaugh: Ain't got no choice! Looks like we both been f*cked! Martin Riggs: Terrific. Roger Murtaugh: God hates me. That's what it is. Martin Riggs: Hate him back; it works for me. *Roger Murtaugh: Have you ever met anybody you didn't kill? Martin Riggs: I haven't killed you yet. *Martin Riggs: Every single day I wake up and think of a reason not to do it. Every single day. And you know why I don't do it? This is going to make you laugh. You know why I don't do it? The job. Doing the job. Now that's the reason. *Roger Murtaugh: I'm too old for this... enjoy retirement @gronk it was incredible... everything.

A post shared by Martellus Bennett (@martellusb) on Mar 24, 2019 at 6:03pm PDT

View this post on Instagram

I'm glad to be able to say I practiced and played with the one of the best players in history. It was a privilege to learn from you for 3 years. Going out a champion is only right for you! #RetireonTop

A post shared by Eric Rowe (@eric_rowe25) on Mar 24, 2019 at 5:54pm PDT

View this post on Instagram

Only dude I’ve had Waylon snag a pic with. That’s how good he was. The best to do what he did, in my book. And he went out like a boss, on his terms. Congrats on a great career @gronk

A post shared by Chris Long 🆑⚡️ (@laflamablanca95) on Mar 24, 2019 at 5:28pm PDT

View this post on Instagram

Congratulations @gronk the best TE to ever play the game!!!Incredible football player but even better person/teammate. I will always cherish the laughs and the pain we caused each other in One on Ones. We were smarter at the end (acting like we were going hard) You went out on top and on your terms, nothing better!!! Congrats Champ!! #goldjacketsoon #beast #gronk #champ

A post shared by Robert Ninkovich (@nink50) on Mar 24, 2019 at 3:19pm PDT

View this post on Instagram

@gronk Big guy thank you for giving me a ride to work on Sundays! It was an special being able to play with you for a year, so much respect for you and everything that you have done for the game! Whatever you end up doing I’m sure you will be the best at it!🏹🚂#gronkexpress #hof

A post shared by Brandin Cooks (@thearcher) on Mar 24, 2019 at 4:18pm PDT

A couple of retired Boston sports legends and champs.

Thanks, Gronk! pic.twitter.com/JfabUDVCBo
— Boston Red Sox (@RedSox) March 25, 2019

Gonna miss you bro! pic.twitter.com/oydcUshZxX
— Teddy Karras (@_teddy_k) March 25, 2019

Congrats on an incredible career @RobGronkowski. One of the best to ever do it. Best wishes on whatever comes next!
— JJ Watt (@JJWatt) March 24, 2019

thank youu for the amazing moments @RobGronkowski 🐐💯
— Le'Veon Bell (@LeVeonBell) March 24, 2019

Gronk

3-Time champ
Top-5 Patriot ever
Best tight end I’ve ever seen
Incredible big game guy
One of the most lovable Boston athletes ever
First ballot Hall of Famer

Can’t believe he did all of it in less than a decade.

Good luck @RobGronkowski
— Bill Simmons (@BillSimmons) March 24, 2019

Congratulations on a tremendous career, @RobGronkowski.

You made Boston and New England proud. pic.twitter.com/qWusX06f1S
— Boston Bruins (@NHLBruins) March 25, 2019

Congrats to my little, I mean younger, bro. Unreal career that entertained and impressed everyone that got to watch. pic.twitter.com/2TpPNsgaer
— Chris Gronkowski (@Chrisgronkowski) March 24, 2019

View this post on Instagram

Congrats @gronk on an amazing career. From draft day, to retiring a champ, and of course all the craziness in between. Livin’ life to the fullest while still working your ass off and dominating on the field, we’re all gonna miss #gronkspikes on Sundays! Congrats again on being the best to ever to do it!

A post shared by Glenn Gronkowski (@glenn_gronkowski) on Mar 24, 2019 at 3:17pm PDT

View this post on Instagram

One of the greatest ever... @gronk 👏

A post shared by NFL (@nfl) on Mar 24, 2019 at 3:08pm PDT

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