New England Patriots superstar tight end Rob Gronkowski announced his retirement from the NFL on Sunday. After nine remarkable years and three Super Bowl rings, Gronkowski decided to call it quits on what will unquestionably be a first-ballot Hall of Fame career.
Despite playing with New England his entire career, Gronkowski crossed paths with the Seahawks a few times. Gronkowski versus the Legion of Boom was always a memorable battle, so here’s a look at their three most unforgettable plays.
No. 1 – Earl Thomas obliterates Gronkowski
Standing at 6-foot-6 and 265 pounds, Gronkowski is not an easy man to bring down. During a rare visit to Foxboro, the Seahawks were taking on the New England Patriots for Sunday Night Football.
Trailing the Seahawks 12-7, the Patriots were on the march. Quarterback Tom Brady attempted a pass over the middle towards Gronkowski, but it did not go as intended.
Kam Chancellor successfully deflected the pass, opening up Gronkowski to a soul-crushing hit from Earl Thomas. When people think back on the Legion of Boom, this will undoubtedly be one of the plays that instantly comes to mind.
No. 2 – Gronkowski breaks the tie in Super Bowl XLIX
The Legion of Boom may have gotten some major hits on Gronkowski, but he punched back plenty on his own. During the waning moments of the first half of Super Bowl XLIX, the Patriots managed to gain a brief upper hand.
Gronkowski used his monstrous frame to overpower linebacker K.J. Wright as he hauled in a 22-yard touchdown reception to give New England a 14-7 lead. Even at the height of the Legion of Boom’s powers, their one Achilles heel was defending elite tight ends, and Gronkowski took full advantage.
The now-former Patriots star would go on to have 6 receptions for 68 yards and a score in New England’s 28-24 victory over Seattle.
No. 3 – Kam Chancellor’s goal line revenge
The Seahawks infamously lost Super Bowl XLIX at the goal line, but two years later they would have a semblance of revenge. Leading 31-24, the Patriots had marched all the way to Seattle’s two-yard line with less than a minute left, threatening to send the game to overtime.
After three-straight failed rushing attempts by New England, quarterback Tom Brady dropped back to pass on 4th-and-goal to Gronkowski who was single-covered by Kam Chancellor.
After plenty of contact by both sides, Brady’s pass fell incomplete due to Chancellor’s defense and the Seahawks sealed a road-upset win as 7.5 point underdogs.
