Overview
- The 12:15 p.m. ET ceremony at Gillette Stadium formalized the one-day deal and was livestreamed on Patriots.com.
- The timing followed Hurley’s appeal at August’s $1.8 million Boston playground dedication and her death on Nov. 1 from ovarian cancer.
- Patriots owner Robert Kraft lightened the moment by joking about extending the contract for a farewell game against the Jets.
- Gronkowski spent nine seasons in New England, won three Super Bowls with the Patriots and a fourth with Tampa Bay, and totaled 9,286 receiving yards and 92 touchdowns.
- He becomes eligible for the Patriots Hall of Fame in 2026 and the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2027, and he continues work as an NFL on Fox analyst and community philanthropist.