The Patriots don¡¯t get to play the first game of the
season
Jacob
Bailey Buffalo Bills Jersey , as has become tradition. But they won¡¯t have
to wait long for their first prime time appearance.According to multiple
reports, the Patriots will host the Steelers in the NBC¡¯s opener on Sept. 8. The
full schedule will be announced tonight at 8 p.m.The league is opening its 100th
season with its oldest rivalry ¡ª Packers-Bears ¡ª in the Thursday debut, so
putting the defending champions in the spotlight game of the week makes sense.It
should also provide a compelling look at two of the long-standing powers who
have undergone dramatic makeovers this offseason.Between the Steelers parting
ways with both Antonio Brown and Le'Veon Bell, and the Patriots losing Rob
Gronkowski to retirement, both teams have significant work to do to keep their
offenses performing at traditional levels.But they¡¯re also two of the most
consistently successful teams in the league, who have stayed that way through
many such changes, making it an interesting way to kick off the season for NBC.
BOSTON (AP) ¡ª The party¡¯s over for Rob Gronkowski. Then again, it might just be
getting started.The New England Patriots¡® fun-loving, touchdown-spiking tight
end announced Sunday that he is retiring from the NFL after nine mostly
dominant, Super Bowl-filled seasons.The four-time All-Pro posted his decision on
Instagram , saying that a few months shy of his 30th birthday ¡°it¡¯s time to move
forward and move forward with a big smile.¡±¡°It all started at 20 years old on
stage at the NFL draft when my dream came
true
Color Rush Jacob
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decision I feel is the biggest of my life so far,¡± Gronkowski wrote in his post.
¡°I will be retiring from the game of football today.¡±Drew Rosenhaus,
Gronkowski¡¯s agent, confirmed his client¡¯s decision to retire.The playmaking
tight end, who turns 30 in May, leaves as a three-time Super Bowl champion who
established himself as one of the most dominant players at his position and one
of Tom Brady¡¯s favorite targets. His personality ¡ª on and off the field ¡ª was as
big as his biceps, and he always seemed to be the life of the party.¡°In the nine
years that I have known Rob Gronkowski, I have never known him to have a bad
day,¡± Patriots owner Robert Kraft said in a statement. ¡°He always has a youthful
exuberance about him and is a joy to be around.But Gronkowski has been dogged in
recent seasons by back, knee, ankle and arm injuries that have limited his
ability to stay on the field.It led him to hint at retirement following New
England¡¯s Super Bowl loss to the Philadelphia Eagles to end the 2017 season and
again last month after the Patriots¡¯ Super Bowl win over the Los Angeles Rams.In
his Instagram
post
Youth Jacob
Bailey Jersey , Gronkowski thanked the Patriots organization, coach Bill
Belichick and New England¡¯s fans for their support during his nine NFL
seasons.¡°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,¡± Gronkowski wrote.Belichick said
Gronkowski was a major reason the Patriots won championships.¡°His production
spoke for itself, but his daily attitude, unmistakably positive energy wherever
he went and toward whoever he touched will never be forgotten,¡± Belichick said
in a statement.Gronkowski¡¯s teammates also almost immediately began to flood
social media with well-wishes.¡°Love you man!!¡± Brady wrote on Instagram, along
with an emoji of a goat to refer to Gronkowski as the greatest of all-time.
¡°Couldn¡¯t be a better person or teammate!!!!¡±It was a sentiment shared by
receiver Julian Edelman.¡°The other goat,¡± Edelman posted on his Instagram page,
also referring to Brady.Though he won¡¯t have the longevity of some of his
contemporaries at tight end, Gronkowski is expected to get strong consideration
for the Pro Football Hall of Fame when eligible.Gronkowski, a second-round pick
in the 2010
draft
Womens Jacob
Bailey Jersey , had his fourth career 1,000-yard receiving season in 2017
and was an All-Pro for the fourth time that season.But at times he looked like a
shell of himself during the Patriots¡¯ Super Bowl run this past season.
Gronkowski finished the 2018 regular season with just 47 catches for 682 yards
and three touchdowns.He had one of his best games of the season in the Patriots¡¯
Super Bowl win over the Rams, hauling in six catches for 87 yards, including two
receptions on New England¡¯s only touchdown drive during their 13-3 victory.A fan
favorite in New England for his gregarious and playful persona that included
awkward dance moves and touchdown celebrations, Gronkowski was one of the most
dominant tight ends of his era.His 12 career postseason touchdown receptions are
the most by a tight end in NFL playoff history. His 81 career postseason catches
are also best among tight ends.He¡¯ll also retire with 79 career TD catches ¡ª
regular season and playoffs ¡ª which is third all-time by a tight end behind only
Antonio Gates (116) and Tony Gonzalez (111).Brady and Gronkowski connected on 78
TD passes. It is the second-most scoring connections between a quarterback and a
tight end in NFL history behind only Philip Rivers and Gates (89) and is fifth
overall between quarterbacks and all pass-catchers.¡°Rob will leave an indelible
mark on the Patriots organization and the game,¡± Brady said, ¡°as among the best,
most complete players at his position to ever play.¡±