Hungover Draft Visit to Patriots Hall of Fame: Rob Gronkowski’s Top Moments

A Patriots homecoming

Gronkowski delivered his Hall of Fame speech outside Gillette Stadium on Saturday. He said his arrival in New England felt like the right fit and described the team as where he was meant to be.

The Patriots chose him with the 42nd pick in the 2010 NFL Draft, out of Arizona. He played nine seasons for New England, from 2010 through 2018. Gronkowski recalled telling the team to throw him the ball and promising to show what he could do. He said the Patriots secretly liked that confidence and knew they needed an edge to return to the Super Bowl.

Records and major honors

A four-time All-Pro and five-time Pro Bowler, Gronkowski ranks first in Patriots history with 79 receiving touchdowns. He is second with 7,861 passing yards and fifth with 521 receptions. His nine-season run is worthy of consideration for the franchise’s all-time Mount Rushmore of players.

A final football spike

Gronkowski closed his speech by saying, “I am a Patriot for life,” then added that it was time to celebrate. He spiked a football on stage. Tom Brady is set to call his first Patriots game as FOX’s Lead NFL Analyst since taking the role in 2024. New England is scheduled to host the Green Bay Packers on Sunday afternoon, with kickoff at 4:25 p.m. ET on FOX.