Patriots’ Gronkowski feels ‘good’ about return to action
FOXBOROUGH, MASS.— Rob Gronkowski has come a long way since doubting his NFL future following the New England Patriots’ loss to the Philadelphia Eagles in the Super Bowl.
Gronkowski, who has battled injuries throughout his eight-year pro career, was asked about what was next for him after the 41-33 loss in Minneapolis.
“I’m definitely going to look at my future,” he said in February.
“We’ll sit down in the next couple of weeks and see where I’m at.”
There was brief talk of an acting career or possibly joining professional wrestling.
It left New England fans knowing quarterback Tom Brady would be returning for his age 41 season, but not knowing if the all-pro tight end would be there with him.
Those doubts are now gone as Gronkowski awaits his ninth season, which starts Sept. 9 at home against the Houston Texans.
“I definitely feel ready for sure, and I feel good,” Gronkowski said Tuesday.
“But it’s a long season. It’s kind of hard to describe the body. You gotta go through it in order to understand.
“It’s what every player — I mean, one day you can be feeling great and then the next day you just don’t how you’re are going to feel — taking hits, you could take a helmet to the thigh, you can take a helmet to the chest, wherever and your body can just react differently ... and you’re feeling like garbage the next day.
“I can’t ever really get up here and ever say that I feel amazing, because you just never know and every single day, though, I prepare myself to the fullest so I can feel the best I can feel the next day.”