Rob Gronkowski Hall of Fame takeaways: Gronk stories, Robert Kraft, Tom Brady appearance and more

November 8, 2026 · Yahoo Sports

FOXBOROUGH - On a scale of 1-to-10, Rob Gronkowski predicted his Hall of Fame ceremony would be an 8.7 on the fun meter.

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It was understandable that Gronk would make a play on his No. 87 jersey number.

But this ceremony, from start to finish, was more like a 10.

It was a party, or in Gronk terms: “Yo soy fiesta!”

To no surprise, it got a little crazy and off the rails at times. And with thousands braving the rainy weather, and lining Patriot Place from above and below, Gronkowski enjoyed every minute.

“It meant everything, it really did to have the thousands and thousands of fans here that came out to celebrate this Hall of Fame induction,” Gronkowski told the media following the event. “The fans, I talked about it, they’re the ones who created the Gronk persona because they loved it so much. They’re the ones who created the Gronk spike ... they loved it so much, I had to keep doing it.”

Before the ceremony, Gronkowski was out on the plaza, engaging with fans. At one point, he spiked a Green Bay helmet ahead of the Patriots hosting the Packers on Sunday.

Along with Gronkowski friends and family members, there were more than 60 Patriots alumni in the house including Tom Brady.

With team owner Robert Kraft unable to attend due to recent back surgery, Jonathan Kraft did the honors and introduced Gronkowski.

“His play on the field was extraordinary. It was otherworldly, but it was his infectious energy and it was his consistent positive presence that truly set him apart from anybody else who played here,” Kraft said. “The optimism and enthusiasm that he brought into this building every day helped us win because it inspired the other people in the building to be as good as they can be.

“And I’m not just talking about the other players and the coaches. I’m talking about the culinary staff, the training staff, the equipment crew, the video crew, the building operations people.

“Rob earned the respect of his fellow coaches and his players, not just through those characteristics, but because of how prepared he was, how hard he worked, how unselfish he was, and how physically tough he was. He set The bar in the room. And during his career, he clearly redefined the position of what it means to be a tight end in the NFL. For a decade, he was the gold standard.”

Gronkowski set numerous records during his nine seasons, including most touchdowns by a tight end in a season (17), most Super Bowl receptions by a tight end (23), most career regular season receiving touchdowns (92). He was part of three championships.

During the ceremony, there was a player panel, as former teammates - Matthew Slater, Danny Amendola, Rob Ninkovich, Matt Light, Nico Koutouvides - all told Gronk stories.

Nate Solder also spoke on Gronkowski’s philanthropy and charitable efforts.

“It’s amazing the work you did with the kids, the children’s hospital, the playgrounds you’ve built, it’s just been phenomenal,” Solder said. “Thank you for all the work you’ve done off the field as well.

“It’s no surprise he’s a Hall of Famer, and Ron Burton award winner, and all the things you’ve done ... it’s been a pleasure to be your teammate and friend.”

Gronkowski, who had red pants specially made to match his new Hall of Fame jacket, finished his speech talked about what it meant for him to be a Patriot, and how it was a perfect fit, how he was “a Patriot for life” and how no team would be able to match their accomplishments.

“This honor today means everything to me. The hard work, the injuries, the surgeries, the good times, the difficult times, it’s all worth it to me now,” he said. “This is a huge honor to be permanently associated with the franchise’s greatest players and join such an exclusive group of former Patriots honored for their contributions.

“I doubt there will ever be another Patriot run in football like the dynasty I was a part of. Playing football in the NFL was the ultimate dream,” he went on, “but being able to play for the best football organization in history, I could have not been in a better situation and wouldn’t change a single thing.

“Being a Patriot to me means being a part of something bigger than yourself. It means more than just playing football. It’s about what’s it’s about doing what’s best for the team, being loyal, sacrificing, giving everything you have, leaving a legacy, giving back to the community, and most importantly, doing your job.”

Here are some of the other highlights:

TB12 in the house

Tom Brady was introduced right before Gronkowski in the procession of Patriot Hall of Famers in attendance.

Fans chanted “Brady, Brady, Brady” as he made his way to the stage.

Brady, in town to do the FOX-Sports broadcast, didn’t speak during the ceremony, but it meant a lot to Gronkowski that he made it.

“It means everything (to have him here)” Gronkowski said. “It worked out perfect. We’re both with FOX doing the broadcast ... just to have him up on stage, he wanted to be here ... Tom could be anywhere else. He’s the greatest player of all time. It just meant a lot to myself, to my family, and to the fans, I’m sure.”

During his speech, Gronkowski spoke about how he learned from Brady.

“I saw how Tom worked, I saw what it took to be great, and I wanted to be at that level,” Gronkowski said. “Sometimes I hated staying after practice, like, ‘Oh Rob, run an extra route.’ Why do I got to run an extra route? Finally, it all clicked.”

Robert Kraft sends video

The Patriot’s owner, who is recovering from back surgery, put together a video, recalled the day in 2010 when the team drafted the tight end in the second round.

“Since the first day we drafted you, I can see you on stage with your dad and your brothers, and you became family right since that day,” Kraft said. “And you make every day coming to work a happy day . . . There’s no one like you that can do it. And as much pain as I had doing what I just did. The pain of missing this celebration and having the privilege of putting you into the Hall of Fame with a red jacket is so disappointing to me. I love you, man.”

Favorite Gronk spike

There were plenty of references and highlights shown of Gronkowski’s famous spikes.

While he’s on record with 92 touchdowns in a Patriots uniform, Kraft thought there was a 93rd - when he spiked Colts defensive back Sergio Brown during the 2014 season.

“It was the height of the Patriots Colts rivalry and Rob, as you’ve heard a bunch of people referenced, threw Sergio Brown ‘out of the club’ but it took place right below where we were sitting. And I am telling you, he just obliterated him.

“He picked him up and he spiked him and he threw him into the ground.”

Gronkowski, meanwhile, told his version of the story.

“There was a safety yapping, yapping, you know, talking trash all game long,” Gronkowski said. “I took them and threw them right out of the club, right out of bounds. Classic, and (I) even got Bill to smile. And still to this day, that safety had yet to sniff the dance floor. You talk trash to the Gronkster, I’ll teach you a lesson.”

Belichick, by the way, was coaching UNC in a game against UConn.

Naturally, Gronk finished off his speech by spiking a football into the stage.

Trophy dent

Jonathan Kraft told the story about Gronk putting a dent in one of the Super Bowl trophies.

He said it was a “very important part of Patriots memorabelia.”

Kraft recalled how he used the Lombardi Trophy from Super Bowl 53, and used it as a baseball bat to hit a pitch Julian Edelman threw to him at Fenway Park.

“You can see it, it put a huge dent in the back of the trophy,” Kraft said. “And I have to be honest, if any other player had done this, we might have been a little bit upset and we would have definitely gotten it fixed.

“But it was the perfect permanent physical impression that Rob could leave on the franchise ... It lives in our trophy room on a daily basis, and my dad, who wanted so desperately to be here today, like he was begging the doctors to, to be here, every time he walks into that trophy room, I mean, every time he looks right over at the dent and he goes ‘Gronk’ and a huge smile comes across his face and he loves telling the story.”

An iconic dent, to be sure.

Julian Edelman video

The receiver, who was inducted into the Patriots Hall of Fame last year, wasn’t in attendance, but sent along a video message.

Edelman referred to Gronk as “the most dominant player” he ever played with.

“We could go hours talking about how dominant of a player you were in the run and pass game. But the one thing that was a true inspiration is how you handled your day to day life,” Edelman said. “You always had a smile on your face, and that was inspirational for crazy guys like me that didn’t always see the greatness of everything. You were the best teammate. You were a joy to be around. You made everyone wanna have fun.I love you and welcome to the Patriots Hall of Fame.”

Gronk loved Dunkin’ tribute

Several Dunkin’ shops on Route 1 rebranded their signage to Gronkin’ for the weekend.

Gronkowski said his family stopped there in the morning to get coffee, and pose for pictures.

“That’s when you know you’ve made it in New England,” he said. “That’s one of one. I’m at the top. No one else ever got Dunkin’ Donuts named after them like that.”