There will be a Gronk-sized hole in the New England Patriots’ organization in 2019. The tight end retired during the offseason, and left a tremendous void on the field and in the locker room.
Receiver Julian Edelman went out of his way to talk about Gronk’s departure during a radio appearance on HOT 97 on June 26. Edelman and the radio show hosts were discussing Gronk’s antics off the field as a partier, and without prompting, Edelman segued into a reflection on how much he’ll miss the always-positive and always-goofy Gronk.
“He’s got that natural energy,” Edelman told the hosts on HOT 97. “That’s probably one of the things that you’re going to miss the most about a guy like him. It’s Week 12. You’re banged-up. It’s a short week. You’ve had a long flight. You walk in to the building. Usually you’re going to see Gronk smiling. ‘What’s up dude?’ He never really had bad days. As a professional, when you go into your work place, those kind of people help you. He was that, and obviously he helps on the field.”
Since his retirement, Gronk’s accomplishments on the field have been tallied with great regularity: 521 receptions, 7861 receiving yards, 79 touchdowns, five Pro Bowl nods and three Super Bowl wins. He’s a likely Hall of Famer.
Gronkowski’s immeasurable elements are the ones which Edelman described. He was a leader in untraditional ways, with a positive attitude. In a place like New England, where the rigors of football are often more profound than in other organizations, a little positivity will probably go a long way. Sure, Bill Belichick will have to find ways to make up for Gronk’s production on the field. But the coach will also have to replace Gronk off it, too.
