Twitter reacts to the retirement of Rob Gronkowski

New England Patriots tight end Rob Gronkowski announced his retirement on Sunday, ending one of the most charming and charismatic careers the NFL has seen. Social media, of course, jumped in with response.

First, the announcement from his Instagram account:

It all started at 20 years old on stage at the NFL draft when my dream came true, and now here I am about to turn 30 in a few months with a decision I feel is the biggest of my life so far. I will be retiring from the game of football today. I am so grateful for the opportunity that Mr. Kraft and Coach Belichick gave to me when drafting my silliness in 2010. My life experiences over the last 9 years have been amazing both on and off the field. The people I have meet, the relationships I have built, the championships I have been apart of, I just want to thank the whole New England Patriots organization for every opportunity I have been giving and learning the great values of life that I can apply to mine. Thank you to all of Pats Nation around the world for the incredible support since I have been apart of this 1st class organization. Thank you for everyone accepting who I am and the dedication I have put into my work to be the best player I could be. But now its time to move forward and move forward with a big smile knowing that the New England Patriots Organization, Pats Nation, and all my fans will be truly a big part of my heart for rest of my life. It was truly an incredible honor to play for such a great established organization and able to come in to continue and contribute to keep building success. To all my current and past teammates, thank you for making each team every year special to be apart of. I will truly miss you guys. Cheers to all who have been part of this journey, cheers to the past for the incredible memories, and a HUGE cheers to the uncertain of whats next.

A post shared by Rob Gronkowski (@gronk) on Mar 24, 2019 at 2:53pm PDT

And now the reaction

His quarterback, Tom Brady said: “Love you man!!” wrote perhaps the greatest NFL player of all time. “The [goat emoji]!! Couldn’t be a better person or teammate!!!!”

Huge congrats to @RobGronkowski.

Absolutely legendary career on the field. He changed the game, did it his way, and took care of his family the entire time.

Excited to see what big cuzzie does next. pic.twitter.com/auf3xIdm3H

— Pat McAfee (@PatMcAfeeShow) March 24, 2019

Congrats on an incredible career @RobGronkowski. One of the best to ever do it. Best wishes on whatever comes next!

— JJ Watt (@JJWatt) March 24, 2019

@RobGronkowski the utmost pleasure watching you dominate throughout your career. Thank you for paving the way and showing what it takes to be great!! #RESPECT

— Chief David Njoku (@David_Njoku80) March 24, 2019

THE LAST GRONK SPIKE. 😭🙌 @RobGronkowski pic.twitter.com/8rKudDp8rg

— The Checkdown (@thecheckdown) March 24, 2019

thank youu for the amazing moments @RobGronkowski 🐐💯

— Le'Veon Bell (@LeVeonBell) March 24, 2019

Gronk

3-Time champ
Top-5 Patriot ever
Best tight end I’ve ever seen
Incredible big game guy
One of the most lovable Boston athletes ever
First ballot Hall of Famer

Can’t believe he did all of it in less than a decade.

Good luck @RobGronkowski

— Bill Simmons (@BillSimmons) March 24, 2019

He’s done a few things in this game:

• Most rec YPG (68.4) by a TE in NFL history

• Most recs (81), rec yds (1,163) & rec TD (12) by a TE in NFL playoff history

• Most rec TD (79) since 2010

• 3-Time Super Bowl Champ

Happy retirement, @RobGronkowski@Patriots #Patriots

— NFL Research (@NFLResearch) March 24, 2019

Rob Gronkowski is the greatest player to ever play his position. He has the best per-game receiving stats ever for a tight end, could physically dominate anyone in the run game (through his last game), and he was endlessly enjoyable to watch. His legacy is that he was peerless.

— Robert Mays (@robertmays) March 24, 2019

Rob Gronkowski turns 30 on May 14. His 79 receiving TDs are the third-most in NFL history before age 30. Gronkowski scored 80 TDs, the most in Patriots’ history. He’s also third all-time in receiving TDs by a tight end, and tied for second all-time in postseason receiving TDs.

— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) March 24, 2019

Give it one more season and get this average .6 yards higher you can do it ⁦@RobGronkowski⁩ pic.twitter.com/XgwCnJUDZJ

— Barstool Sports (@barstoolsports) March 24, 2019

Rob Gronkowski retired. A surefire Hall of Fame tight end who really never wavered from being the same, simple, "doesn't take much to make me happy" person he was when he danced onstage with his brothers when he was drafted. Fortunate to have covered him. pic.twitter.com/CFlV8Ev45m

— Tom E. Curran (@tomecurran) March 24, 2019

No one had more fun than Gronk.

We’ll miss you, 87. 🙌 @RobGronkowski pic.twitter.com/2DCsnyVSN0

— The Checkdown (@thecheckdown) March 24, 2019

Best way to describe his legacy: For a period of time @RobGronkowski played tight end at a higher level than it had ever been played.

And he fought his ass off, through injuries, to keep it going the last few years. Good for him, that he gets to go out on his terms.

— Albert Breer (@AlbertBreer) March 24, 2019

Sucks but thanks for great career and greatest tight end of all time. Going out a champion. Can’t argue with that. @RobGronkowski #Gronk. pic.twitter.com/uGQ5MBryrU

— Dave Portnoy (@stoolpresidente) March 24, 2019

Damn! Gonna miss watching you @RobGronkowski. Enjoy LAF (Life After Football) because there is a lot of life to be lived! Congrats on a great career! https://t.co/I1g6ljxxBI

— Michael Strahan (@michaelstrahan) March 24, 2019

Rob Gronkowski’s final catch was a gigantic one. pic.twitter.com/xQmKA4Qk2S

— Zack Cox (@ZackCoxNESN) March 24, 2019

.@RobGronkowski announces retirement: https://t.co/kMO7SxExOR pic.twitter.com/3aKtzCaxcs

— New England Patriots (@Patriots) March 24, 2019

WWE has to sign Rob Gronkowski now that he’s retired from the NFL, right? Would be awesome as a pro wrestler.

— Clay Travis (@ClayTravis) March 24, 2019

Congratulations go out to @RobGronkowski on his retirement from the NFL and a fantastic career! pic.twitter.com/NN7pEEifbv

— WWE (@WWE) March 24, 2019

And so Rob Gronkowski is retired from playing tight end and Jason Witten is not.

— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) March 24, 2019

One of the greatest ever… @RobGronkowski 👏 pic.twitter.com/6NE0VHMrKn

— NFL (@NFL) March 24, 2019