Rob Gronkowski talks to the press during a media availability at the Super Bowl LII Media Centre. Photo: AFP
Source:
https://scmp.com/sport/other-sport/article/2132529/rob-gronkowski-considering-retirement-nfl-pursue-hollywood-career Other Sport
Rob Gronkowski considering retirement from NFL to pursue Hollywood career as actor: report
New England Patriots star, 28, has an opt-out clause in his contract and did not commit to playing next season in wake of Super Bowl loss
Rob Gronkowski celebrates his four-yard fourth quarter touchdown reception against the Philadelphia Eagles in Super Bowl LII. Photo: AFP
New England Patriots tight end Rob Gronkowski is reportedly considering retiring from American football to pursue a career in Hollywood as an actor.
Citing a source, Bill Burt of The Eagle-Tribune reported that Gronkowski has been told by two acting superstars, Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson and Sylvester Stallone, that he could make millions of dollars in action films.
Despite an impressive performance in Super Bowl LII on Sunday night, the 28-year-old Gronkowski would not commit to playing next season in the wake of New England’s 41-33 loss to the Philadelphia Eagles.
Gronkowski has told friends that injuries have “taken a toll on him”, according to the newspaper report.
He is expected to make US$8 million in base salary in 2018, but the contract does have an opt-out clause.
“I don’t know how you heard that, but I’m definitely going to look at my future, for sure,” Gronkowski said after catching nine passes for 116 yards and two touchdowns against the Eagles.
“We’ll sit down in the next couple of weeks and see where I’m at. I’m not ready for these types of questions right now. I’m just going to sit down, reflect on the season, talk to my teammates.”
Gronkowski returned to action in the Super Bowl after getting knocked out of the AFC Championship Game on January 21 because of a concussion.
With his two touchdown catches of throws from Tom Brady, the duo tied Joe Montana and Jerry Rice for the most TD connections in NFL postseason history with 12.
Rob Gronkowski scores a touchdown past Ronald Darby during Super Bowl LII against the Philadelphia Eagles. Photo: AFP
In the 2017 regular season, Gronkowski caught 69 passes for 1,084 yards and eight touchdowns, his fourth career season with at least 1,000 yards.
He sat out two games, one because of a thigh contusion and the other because of an NFL suspension for a late hit on Buffalo Bills cornerback Tre’Davious White.
A second-round pick in 2010 out of the University of Arizona, Gronkowski has 474 career catches for 7,179 yards and 76 touchdowns in 102 games. He is a two-time Super Bowl champion, a five-time Pro Bowl honoree and a five-time All-Pro.
Gronkowski missed much of the 2013 season after multiple forearm surgeries, then returned to win Comeback Player of the Year in 2014.
He also played in just eight games in 2016, missing time because of a hamstring injury, a pulmonary contusion and a herniated disk that ultimately led to back surgery.