:format(webP)/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/tbt/LMFOQWUFONBFVLHAM2B5X7FE44.JPG "Bucs tight end Rob Gronkowski (87) celebrates a touchdown during a wild-card victory over the Philadelphia Eagles in January at Raymond James Stadium.")
TAMPA — The famed Rob Gronkowski spikes are done — for now.
The tight end announced his retirement from the NFL via social media on Tuesday afternoon. The four-time All-Pro spent two seasons with the Bucs after nine seasons with the Patriots.
On Gronkowski’s Instagram post announcing his retirement, longtime friend and teammate Tom Brady commented, “Love you as a man, teammate and friend. One of a kind in every way,” followed by a red heart emoji.
Gronkowski had 100 catches for 1,425 yards and 13 touchdowns in 28 regular-season games over two seasons with the Bucs, helping the team to a Super Bowl 55 title with a 31-9 win over Kansas City.
Here’s how Twitter reacted to the news:
Contact Mari Faiello at mfaiello@tampabay.com. Follow @faiello_mari.
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/s3.amazonaws.com/arc-authors/tbt/21b75d52-4a18-452e-a6a4-f4d5e582e31e.jpg "Mari Faiello - Sports Trending and Outdoors Reporter")
/www.tampabay.com/resizer/dYwF6tjwBQEyGXOcBAKxQwd7cMM=/1200x675/smart/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/tbt/QGXPPSNXXJFT5OVAO2ISXNEGRQ.jpg "Gronk reaffirms he’s ‘done with football,’ even if Tom Brady beckons")
/www.tampabay.com/resizer/XvZcRLxlJWhMf4rsgAPWnJ66MYM=/1200x675/filters:focal(1345x755:1355x745)/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/tbt/P6EFIDCKOBE35OQOMZZO7CJWYI.jpg "Rob Gronkowski’s girlfriend believes tight end will play again")
/www.tampabay.com/resizer/AyOWP0aZVKrE3kU0BJrHwNU85mo=/1200x675/smart/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/tbt/WWF6BIUOUBAFVKCUTERIYISRDE.JPG "Tom Brady tells Variety he would have preferred to ‘un-retire’ in July")
/www.tampabay.com/resizer/Ya-wMVY0UTBqmA2_lpJhSFoKN8c=/1200x675/smart/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/tbt/7AUXGOHLSFABBP4DLDMIJJZ27M.jpg "Jesuit’s Troy Bowles, son of Bucs coach, pledges to Georgia Bulldogs")
/www.tampabay.com/resizer/SU8kKIUBLHxmofdhGaHEgAAbmnI=/1200x675/smart/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/tbt/KVDJP5VU2JCKNCSWPPBFCEF5RU.jpg "Former Plant High, NFL tight end Orson Charles arrested in Ybor City")
/www.tampabay.com/resizer/aQlFA-wA1aj1cQ_QTOpO7fp6whM=/1200x675/smart/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/tbt/MMSBWXGLOZGFDC6FKY3ALUV7IQ.JPG "Rays report: Brandon Lowe activated, Ryan Yarbrough starting")
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/www.tampabay.com/resizer/gj0GgPPIZShnfrkYU062JDRyloM=/1200x675/smart/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/tbt/7HJOXNIMXZBOTPN3M6W56OZPDY.JPG "‘That’s a pretty big milestone:’ Rays’ Corey Kluber reaches 10-year service mark")
/www.tampabay.com/resizer/HdebALhEPNvzDoXRugkfF57ssRU=/1200x675/smart/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/tbt/5J35OG2CWVD5NLFENZAOFWWWG4.jpg "Jan Rutta leaves Lightning, signs with Penguins")
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