Los Angeles (AFP)
Former New England wide receiver Rob Gronkowski is coming out of retirement to re-form in the Tampa Bay Buccaneers the formidable duo they made up for the Patriots with quarterback star Tom Brady, media reports said Tuesday.
"While waiting to pass the physical tests, Rob has agreed to play for Tampa Bay next season," said his agent Drew Rosenhaus at ESPN.
Gronkowski hung up his NFL crampons in February 2019 after a third Superbowl won with New England against the Los Angeles Rams.
The 30-year-old had surprised his world by this choice, but justified it with a wish to rest a body very tested by the injuries accumulated in nine seasons of American football.
If he started wrestling this year in WWE, the NFL fever obviously overtook him by seeing that his "favorite pitcher" had decided to take up a new challenge at 42, by engaging with the Buccaneers a few weeks ago, after twenty seasons with the Patriots.
The latter agreed to exchange Gronkowski, who had one year left on the contract, for a 4th round of the draft due to take place on Thursday, said ESPN.
In nine seasons in the NFL, Gronkowski has established himself as one of the best receivers of all time, with 521 assists for 7,861 yards covered and 79 successful touchdowns.
He has in fact established himself as one of the most reliable targets of Tom Brady and his absence was felt last season during the play-offs, with a setback from the 1st round against the Tennessee Titans.
With Brady - whose Patriots jerseys sold less last season than those of new star Patrick Mahomes, winner of the Superbowl with Kansas City - and Gronkowski in his ranks, Tampa Bay, which will host the next Superbowl in February 2021, hopes become the first team to win it "at home".
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