The news that had been circulating since August, regarding Rob Gronkowski's retirement with the Patriots, is about to be finalized, after it was announced that this Wednesday will be the long-awaited day of signing the one-day contract that will link the player to the team so he can officially retire and receive a well-deserved tribute, years after saying goodbye to the gridiron with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in 2021.

Gronkowski, considered one of the best tight ends in history and holder of four NFL championship rings, foreshadowed what would happen: "I have some great news. This week I will sign a one-day contract with the New England Patriots; I will retire as a 'Patriot' and I will be a 'Patriot' for life," said the 36-year-old former player and current television analyst.

Hours later, the New England Patriots confirmed this through their official social media channels and invited their fans to follow a live broadcast of the historic moment.

“The greatest tight end in NFL history retires as a Patriot! Watch Rob Gronkowski signs his one-day contract this Wednesday at 12:15 pm live on digital and social platforms,” the team posted.

Gronkowski, who has four rings in a five-time NFL champion, with three Super Bowls with the Patriots (XLIX, LI, and LIII) and one with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers (LV), he left New England in 2018 to play the final two seasons of his career in Tampa Bay in 2020 and 2021. The tight end, who joined the Patriots as a second-round draft pick in 2010, quickly became Tom Brady's favorite target, alongside whom he forged one of the league's most dominant dynasties. In 11 NFL years, nine of them with New England, Gronkowski amassed 621 receptions for 9,286 yards and 92 touchdowns. The five-time Pro Bowler and four-time All-Pro will be eligible for induction into the Patriots Hall of Fame next year and the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2027.

After his retirement in 2021, he has been a regular contributor to Fox Sports alongside Tom Brady, considered the greatest player in NFL history, who won seven Super Bowls,six with the Patriots and one with the Buccaneers.

Since last year, the New England Patriots have been honoring the figures who, in this century, made them the winningest team in NFL history in Super Bowl victories.

Last September, Robert Kraft, owner of the Patriots, unveiled a 5.8-meter-tall statue of Tom Brady on the forecourt of Gillette Stadium, the team's home stadium. He also stated that a statue of Bill Belichick, the coach who led them to nine Super Bowl appearances, winning six, will be erected next to it.