Rob Gronkowski, considered by many to be the best tight end in NFL history, ended his career for the second time. All offseason he’s been quiet about his future, and now he’s decided to hang up his cleats after 11 seasons and four championship titles.

“Now I’m going to a retirement home. I’m leaving soccer with my head held high, knowing I gave it everything I had. The friendships and relationships I made will last forever, and I am grateful to all my teammates and coaches,” Gronkowski wrote.

Gronkowski spent nine seasons with the Patriots and two with the Buccaneers (after resuming his career before the 2020 season). The four-time champion Gronkowski caught 621 passes for 9,286 yards with 92 career touchdowns. His 15 touchdowns on receptions in the playoffs is second all-time behind Jerry Rice.

Gronk had already lived without soccer in 2019 before joining Tom Brady in Tampa. After a slow start, he caught 45 passes for 623 yards with seven touchdowns. He caught two touchdowns in the Super Bowl against the Kansas City Chiefs.

In 2021, he played even better. Despite participating in only 12 games, he caught 55 passes for 802 yards with six touchdowns. It was statistically his best season since 2017, and Gronkowski was named to the season’s All-Star team for the fourth time in his career.

Tampa Bay selected two tight ends in the 2022 draft, just in case Gronk doesn’t return.