NFL

Rob Gronkowski compared how he feels following Super Bowl LV with retirement in 2019

"I just played 20 games, the most games I've ever played. I didn't miss a practice, didn't miss a game."

Rob Gronkowski Super Bowl
Rob Gronkowski after scoring a touchdown in Super Bowl LV. Doug Mills/The New York Times

By Hayden Bird

1 minute to read

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When Rob Gronkowski retired from football in 2019, it was because he “needed to recover.”

“I was not in a good place,” Gronkowski later said of how he felt following the Patriots’ Super Bowl LIII win. “Football was bringing me down. And I didn’t like it. I was losing that joy in life.”

The former New England tight end stayed retired for the 2019 season, Tom Brady’s final year with the Patriots.

But when Brady signed with the Buccaneers in 2020, Gronkowski made his way to Tampa.

Now, having caught two touchdowns from Brady in the Buccaneers’ 31-9 win over the Chiefs in Super Bowl LV, Gronkowski feels rejuvenated.

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Speaking with Michael Strahan on Good Morning America from Disney World, the 31-year-old tight end was elated.

“I feel unbelievable this time,” said Gronkowski. “I just played 20 games, the most games I’ve ever played. I didn’t miss a practice, didn’t miss a game. I feel like I’m 18 years old right now, you know? I have no injuries at all, just playing a full season like that.”

“I feel fresh,” Gronkowski added. “I truly feel like the best I’ve ever felt.”

Hayden Bird

Sports Staff

Hayden Bird is a sports staff writer for Boston.com, where he has worked since 2016. He covers all things sports in New England.

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