New England Patriots tight end Rob Gronkowski has announced on Instagram that he is retiring after nine NFL seasons.
He called it the biggest decision of his life and thanked team owner Robert Kraft and coach Bill Belichick for the opportunity to play in the league.
Taken in the second round of the 2010 NFL draft, Gronkowski had 521 career receptions for 7,861 yards and 79 touchdowns in 115 games.
Injuries caused him to miss at least half the 2013 and 2016 seasons, and he never played a full 16-game schedule after 2011.
But the five-time Pro Bowler helped the Patriots advance to five Super Bowls, winning three times, including this year.
Gronkowski will turn 30 in May.