Rob Gronkowski to be inducted into Patriots Hall of Fame

Rob Gronkowski has been voted into the New England Patriots Hall of Fame, the team announced on Wednesday.

"Rob Gronkowski's performance on the field was extraordinary, but it was his infectious energy and consistently positive presence that truly set him apart," Patriots owner Robert Kraft said in a statement. "He always brightened everyone's day. He earned the respect of coaches and teammates through his work ethic, preparation and unselfish approach, while redefining what it meant to play his position. Rob became a fan favorite almost immediately and remained the standard at tight end for nearly a decade. We look forward to celebrating his induction into the Patriots Hall of Fame and, in time, the Pro Football Hall of Fame."

The longtime tight end was a second-round draft pick by the Patriots in 2010 and finished his career as the franchise's leader in total touchdowns (80) and is second in receiving yards with 7,861.

Gronkowski played nine of his 11 NFL seasons in New England and was a four-time First-team All-Pro, five-time Pro Bowler, a member of the 2010s All-Decade Team and NFL 100th Anniversary Team, and a three-time Super Bowl champion with the Patriots.

Gronkowski, who is the 38th inductee in the Patriots’ Hall of Fame, beat out guard Logan Mankins and kicker Adam Vinatieri, a member of the Pro Football Hall of Fame class of 2026, in the fan voting.

Gronkowski is eligible for induction into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2027.

Every year, a panel of media, Patriots alumni and staff nominate players or head coaches to be voted on. A final list of three nominees are then voted on by fans to determine that year’s honoree.

Wide receiver Julian Edelman and former coach Bill Parcells were last year's inductees.