Gronk's farewell message to ex-teammate is raising a lot of eyebrows
New England Patriots fans haven’t enjoyed what they’ve seen the past few days.
Running back Dion Lewis, who was responsible for more than 1,100 total yards and played a big role for New England down the stretch last season, bolted for the Tennessee Titans.
Cornerback Malcolm Butler, the hero of Super Bowl XLIX, decided to join Lewis in Nashville.
Left tackle Nate Solder, who protected Tom Brady’s blindside for seven years, signed a lucrative deal with the New York Giants.
Danny Amendola, one of Brady’s favorite targets over the last five seasons, jumped ship to join the rival Miami Dolphins.
To top it off, Brady himself gave indications that he might not be a Patriot much longer.
Star tight end Rob Gronkowski already had New England on edge with his post-Super Bowl talk of possible retirement.
“I am definitely going to look at my future for sure,” he told reporters. “I am going to sit down the next couple weeks and see where I am at. … I’m going to reflect on the season. Proud of the boys, and just see what happens.”
There were reports that last season was gloomy for the fun-loving Gronk.
“He didn’t enjoy himself in 2017,” said NBC Sports Boston‘s Tom E. Curran. “He did not have a good time, despite the fact his body was in a better situation than it’s been in a long time — ever maybe — despite the fact that he’s one of the most dominant players at any skill position.”
A cryptic tweet in late February convinced a lot of fans Gronkowski will be hanging up the cleats.
Forseee your own future, control your own temptations, and your destiny will be not just be reached, it will just be starting.
— Rob Gronkowski (@RobGronkowski) February 24, 2018
Now some people are reading similar sentiments into his farewell message to Amendola on Instagram.
“Stay lit, Be FREE, Be HAPPY,” Gronkowski wrote Wednesday.
The emphasis on freedom and happiness in connection with leaving New England raised eyebrows.
Rob Gronkowski wishes Danny Amendola well on Instagram with emphasis on being free and happy https://t.co/1u9PCPUOCI pic.twitter.com/lNHcMwbo0c
— WEEI (@WEEI) March 14, 2018
https://twitter.com/C_Myers5/status/973999183295320064
Rob Gronkowski posted an ode to Danny Amendola on Instagram that is both endearing and a bit unsettling at the same time… https://t.co/HUlZBQFs2K
— Tanya Ray Fox (@TanyaRayFox) March 14, 2018
Only Gronk knows if there was any underlying meaning there. The rest of us will just have to wait and see.
Truth and Accuracy
We are committed to truth and accuracy in all of our journalism. Read our editorial standards.
