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Daily Mirror
Daily Mirror
Sport
Andrew Gamble

NFL icon Rob Gronkowski opens up on working with Tom Brady again after retirement

Rob Gronkowski revealed he is undoubtedly excited to see his close friend Tom Brady join him at FOX Sports after the iconic quarterback walked away from the NFL.

Last week, Brady announced his retirement from the NFL after 23 seasons. He won seven Super Bowls over an illustrious career that spanned two decades with the New England Patriots - where he won six of his championships - and three seasons with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, winning Super Bowl LV.

Brady is preparing for the next chapter of his life where he will enter the commentary booth with FOX Sports after signing a blockbuster deal with the broadcaster last year. The network signed a 10-year contract worth $375 million (£306m) when he made his original retirement 12 months ago.

FOX Sports initially thought Brady would join their roster last year after he retired only to sensationally reverse his decision just 40 days later. Brady has reportedly informed the broadcaster he will get to work in the booth in the 2024 season.

The 45-year-old will also have a familiar face in the studio at Fox Sports: four-time Super Bowl champion Rob Gronkowski. The legendary former tight end joined the broadcaster as an on-air analyst midway through the 2022 season after opting against a return to the NFL himself.

Gronkowski was drafted by Brady’s Patriots back in 2010 before coming out of retirement to join him in Tampa Bay as he enjoyed unparalleled success alongside the iconic quarterback, catching 105 touchdown passes combined in the regular season and playoffs - the second-most between a duo in NFL history after Peyton Manning and Marvin Harrison. Gronkowski is excited to link back up with Brady for a third time in his career, although this time will be off the field.

“Yeah, of course - he’s one of my closest friends,” Gronkowski told Mirror Sport at FOX Sports’ media session in Arizona when asked if he’s excited to team up with Brady. “I’m looking forward to see what he brings to the booth, and I know he'll be work really hard at it to be great.

“He has so much experience, he knows football, so I think he’s going to be really good at it.”

Gronkowski is an analyst rather than a play-by-play caller like Brady is set to be, but when asked if there was a chance for the pair to break down plays and showcase their renowned chemistry, the 33-year-old smiled and added: “That's definitely a possibility for sure, being with Tom for so long and now we're going to be at FOX together.

“There really hasn't been any plans or anything or any talks about it, but that definitely could be a possibility. We could banter back and forth in some way, somehow, maybe do a couple promos together or whatever it is. That will be down the road. Time will have to tell with that.”

Gronkowski also revealed he told Brady to enjoy his time away from the NFL before entering the booth, and called on the former quarterback to give him a call 'if he needs any pointers'.

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