Rob Gronkowski Says He Would ‘Have to’ Unretire to Reclaim One NFL Record

Gronkowski admitted he’d consider returning to football if one of his NFL records was broken.

Former NFL tight end Rob Gronkowski retired (for the second time) ahead of the 2022 season, but he admitted to Kay Adams on Wednesday that there’s one specific record he would unretire in order to reclaim, should it ever be broken. 

During an appearance on Up and Adams, Gronkowski told Adams that if his record for most touchdowns in a single season by a tight end was ever shattered, he would “have to” come out of retirement in order to try and reclaim it. 

“I’m not sweating it, but if someone beats it, I’m coming back to football. That’s the only way I will come back to the NFL, if someone beats my touchdown record,” said Gronkowski, when Adams asked if he was “sweating” the idea of someone breaking his record.

“Because that record is mine. You can take the receiving record. … That touchdown record by a tight end is my record. I’m proud of it, I love it, and if someone beats it, I’d have to come back and try to reclaim it.” 

‼️ If any tight end breaks Gronk's single-season receiving TD record (17 in 2011), he has no choice but to come back to the NFL and reclaim what is rightfully his. 😳

📺: @FanDuelTV | @heykayadams | @RobGronkowski pic.twitter.com/5jxNGyhLHW

— Up & Adams (@UpAndAdamsShow) September 6, 2023

Gronkowski set the single-season touchdown record for tight ends in just his second year in the league, when he caught 17 touchdowns for the Patriots. Across his 11-year career, Gronkowski caught 92 touchdown passes, trailing only Antonio Gates and Tony Gonzalez in league history among tight ends.

Despite multiple comeback rumors throughout last year, the 34-year-old decided to remain away from the sport and appears to be enjoying retirement.