When a retired Rob Gronkowski did a ceremonious spike one last time during the Patriots' 2019 season opener to celebrate their Super Bowl 53 victory, it should have slammed to the turf any talk of a return to the NFL.
But because Gronk is a 30-year-old who might have a few good years left as a top professional athlete, those un-retirement rumors are not going away. Beyond New England teammates past and present suggesting that notion, Gronkowski himself has left the comeback door ajar with his own words and actions.
COUNTERPOINT: The case for Gronk's return to Patriots in 2019
We get it. Everyone wants Gronk back on the field because he is fun and is fun to watch. Plus, fans in New England don't want the championship party to stop, and he can still give plenty as the life of that party.
There is one good reason why Gronk would come back: The Patriots look unstoppable again with Tom Brady and could have a historic offense — like they did in 2007 pre-Gronk — should the signing of wide receiver Antonio Brown pan out.
But otherwise, everything is stacked against the possibility to the point it looks a lot more like a final decision. Below are the reasons.
His money: Gronkowski has been financially savvy with his millions, living off endorsements and not tapping into what he got in salary and signing bonuses from the Patriots. He is set up for life with whatever endeavors he takes and investments he makes. That includes his interest in promoting CBD products to help ease the physical pain of others.
His injuries: Speaking of that pain, Gronk has shared feelings similar to those expressed by Andrew Luck in terms of how much he started to hurt physically, mentally and emotionally after racking up a ton of NFL injuries. As much as using CBD has allowed Gronk to feel better again, why would he want to go back down the road of more cranial and bodily abuse at a more advanced age? This is not an "early retirement." Gronk didn't play "only" nine years.
Sure, it's a short career in relation to contemporary tight ends and fellow future Hall of Famers Tony Gonzalez, Jason Witten and Antonio Gates. But Gronk came into the league shaking off major injury and was more consistently nicked up than the average player. Now that he is in normal civilian shape in a pain-free state, it's hard to want to go back, a la Browns great Joe Thomas after his 11 years in the league.
MORE: Clues suggesting Gronk's NFL comeback
His family: Gronkowski comes from a tight-knit sports family and is close to his brothers. He also is headed toward possibly starting his own family soon with long-time girlfriend Camille Kostek. Sure, his bromance with Brady was fun, but even the Patriots quarterback will step away from the game at some point in the near future. If there's any fear of missing out for Gronkowski, it would be what else he might give up off the field if he were to dedicate himself to getting back to playing condition.
His status: Gronkowski has nothing left to prove. He is going to Canton as one of the elite tight ends who played in the first 99 NFL seasons. He has three Super Bowl rings, and in John Elway and Peyton Manning fashion, he is going out on top, having made his definitive career play to secure the latest Patriots championship. There is no changing the narrative or ruing anything he didn't accomplish in the game.
His fame: Gronk can do a lot of good in the real world with his popular, positive influence, whether it's further using his Shaquille O'Neal-level business acumen or becoming a John Cena-like crossover entertainment personality.
The NFL was Gronkowski's short-term day job, and he did it well with no regrets of what could have been. His post-football life is now in front of him with endless possibilities. And that means his time in the league came to a fitting, true end.
