“I will now be going back into my retirement home, walking away from football again with my head held high knowing I gave it everything I had, good or bad, every time I stepped out on the field,” he wrote in a post on Instagram.
The tight end previously retired from the NFL in 2019 after playing nine seasons with the New England Patriots. He came out of retirement to play for the Buccaneers in 2020 and 2021, according to Bleacher Report.
On Tuesday, Gronkowski, 33, said that he had once written for a report in college that he wanted to play professional football in Tampa.
“The journey in Tampa over the last 2 years has blown away what I originally wrote about in college, big time,” he wrote, thanking the Buccaneers, his teammates and fans.
In a statement, Buccaneers general manager Jason Licht called Gronkowski “a true professional who left it all on the field for us the past two seasons and helped establish a championship culture in our building.”
“He played a crucial part in our Super Bowl LV championship season in 2020 and battled through a number of injuries last year while on the way to one of the most productive receiving yardage seasons in his 11-year career,” Licht said.
“It is always difficult to see a great player walk away from the game when he is still enjoying that kind of success, but the overwhelming emotions I feel today are gratitude and respect for one of the greatest tight ends who ever played the game.”
"Rob is a true professional who left it all on the field for us the past two seasons and helped establish a championship culture in our building."
Gronkowski won three Super Bowls with the Patriots and one with the Buccaneers.
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Through the years FOXBOROUGH, MA - CIRCA 2010: In this handout image provided by the NFL, Rob Gronkowski of the New England Patriots poses for his 2010 NFL headshot circa 2010 in Foxborough, Massachusetts. (Photo by NFL via Getty Images) (Handout/Getty Images)
Through the years BOSTON, MA - DECEMBER 19: Tight end Rob Gronkowski #87 of the New England Patriots acknowledges the fasn during the game between the Boston Bruins and the Montreal Canadiens at the TD Garden on December 19, 2011 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images) (Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)
Through the years LOS ANGELES, CA - JULY 11: (L-R) Brothers Dan Gronkowski, Gordie Gronkowski, Rob Gronkowski and Glenn Gronkowski arrive at the 2012 ESPY Awards at Nokia Theatre L.A. Live on July 11, 2012 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Frazer Harrison/Getty Images) (Frazer Harrison/Getty Images)
Through the years EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ - OCTOBER 20: Rob Gronkowski #87 of the New England Patriots runs with Darrin Walls #30 of the New York Jets during their game at MetLife Stadium on October 20, 2013 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Photo by Jeff Zelevansky/Getty Images) (Jeff Zelevansky/Getty Images)
Through the years FOXBORO, MA - OCTOBER 27: Rob Gronkowski #87 of the New England Patriots looks on from the side line during a game with the Miami Dolphins in the first half at Gillette Stadium on October 27, 2013 in Foxboro, Massachusetts. (Photo by Jim Rogash/Getty Images) (Jim Rogash/Getty Images)
Through the years FOXBORO, MA - NOVEMBER 03: Rob Gronkowski #87 of the New England Patriots misses catching a touchdown pass in front of Shamarko Thomas #29 of the Pittsburgh Steelers in the second quarter at Gillette Stadium on November 3, 2013 in Foxboro, Massachusetts. Pass interference was called on the play. (Photo by Jared Wickerham/Getty Images) (Jared Wickerham/Getty Images)
Through the years HOUSTON, TX - DECEMBER 01: Rob Gronkowski #87 of the New England Patriots works out on the field before the game against the Houston Texans at Reliant Stadium on December 1, 2013 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Scott Halleran/Getty Images) (Scott Halleran/Getty Images)
Through the years GLENDALE, AZ - FEBRUARY 01: Rob Gronkowski #87 (L) and Tom Brady #12 of the New England Patriots celebrate while holding up the Vince Lombardi Trophy after defeating the Seattle Seahawks during Super Bowl XLIX at University of Phoenix Stadium on February 1, 2015 in Glendale, Arizona. The Patriots defeated the Seahawks 28-24. (Photo by Rob Carr/Getty Images) (Rob Carr/Getty Images)
Through the years LOS ANGELES, CA - MARCH 09: New England Patriots football player Rob Gronkowski throws a Clipper color football to the fans during a timeout in the game between the Minnesota Timberwolves and the Los Angeles Clippers at Staples Center on March 9, 2015 in Los Angeles, California. The Clippers won 89-76. (Photo by Stephen Dunn/Getty Images) (Stephen Dunn/Getty Images)
Through the years HOLLYWOOD, CALIFORNIA - MARCH 29: NFL player Rob Gronkowski attends as athletes and YouTube stars team for DOOM Videogame Tournament at Siren Studios on March 29, 2016 in Hollywood, California. (Photo by Jonathan Leibson/Getty Images for Bethesda Softworks) (Jonathan Leibson)
Through the years HOLLYWOOD, CALIFORNIA - MARCH 29: NFL player Rob Gronkowski attends as athletes and YouTube stars team for DOOM Videogame Tournament at Siren Studios on March 29, 2016 in Hollywood, California. (Photo by Jonathan Leibson/Getty Images for Bethesda Softworks) (Jonathan Leibson)
Through the years BOSTON, MA - APRIL 3: Rob Gronkowski #87 of the New England Patriots is tackled by Tom Brady #12 after stealing his jersey before the opening day game between the Boston Red Sox and the Pittsburgh Pirates at Fenway Park on April 3, 2017 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images) (Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)
Through the years LANDOVER, MARYLAND - JANUARY 09: Tight end Rob Gronkowski #87 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers watches from the sidelines prior to the game against the Washington Football Team at FedExField on January 09, 2021 in Landover, Maryland. (Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images) (Patrick Smith/Getty Images)
Through the years TAMPA, FLORIDA - FEBRUARY 07: Rob Gronkowski #87 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers reacts after defeating the Kansas City Chiefs in Super Bowl LV at Raymond James Stadium on February 07, 2021 in Tampa, Florida. The Buccaneers defeated the Chiefs 31-9. (Photo by Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images) (Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images)
Through the years TAMPA, FLORIDA - FEBRUARY 07: Rob Gronkowski #87 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers spikes the ball after scoring a 17-yard touchdown in the second quarter against the Kansas City Chiefs in Super Bowl LV at Raymond James Stadium on February 07, 2021 in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images) (Patrick Smith/Getty Images)
Through the years TAMPA, FLORIDA - FEBRUARY 10: Rob Gronkowski #87 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers celebrates during the Tampa Bay Buccaneers Super Bowl boat parade on February 10, 2021 after defeating the Kansas City Chiefs 31-9 in Super Bowl LV in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images) (Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images)
Through the years TUCSON, ARIZONA - APRIL 24: NFL athlete and University of Arizona Alum, Rob Gronkowski catches a pass while coaching Team Red in the Arizona Spring game at Arizona Stadium on April 24, 2021 in Tucson, Arizona. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images) (Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
