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Patriots Legend Rob Gronkowski Channels 'Dumb and Dumber' in Addressing NFL Comeback

Humorously annoyed amid continued queries about a return to the NFL, New England Patriots legend Rob Gronkowski had a definitive answer to further Sundays in Foxboro.

Rob Gronkowski is returning to play ... on the pickleball court. His brothers want a rematch, after all.

The New England Patriots legend provided a firm reply to the repeated question of his future on the gridiron during an interview with TMZ Sports. Set to turn the relatively young playing age of 34 in May, some believe that Gronkowski would once again show up on Sundays after previously ending a prior retirement to play with former Foxboro collaborator Tom Brady in Tampa Bay. 

This time, though, Gronkowski isn't going anywhere.

“There is no chance anymore," Gronkowski declared. "I’m happily retired.”

Gronkowski lived up to his playful, fun-loving demeanor in the interview with Babcock and Mojo Muhtadi, fully expecting the former to inevitably ask the question. Babcock referenced a prior interview with Gronkowski where he addressed another comeback attempt by referencing the famous "So you're telling me there's a chance?" scene from the comedy classic "Dumb and Dumber." Gronkowski implied that any NFL comeback would create a sequel to the 1995 film. 

“I’m not ‘Dumb' or 'Dumber’ anymore. That picture's out the window," Gronkowski says, much to Babcock and Muhtadi's amusement. "Now I am the dumbest!”

Despite his retirement, Gronkowski has found a passion in a new sport, the fast-rising pickleball. Gronkowski said he has played the game "once in (his) life," but was energized by emerging victorious in a partnered, fraternal, civil war match.

“I beat my brother, Chris, who plays with pros, and my other brother, Gord, who plays with pros, too," Gronkowski declared. "I beat them with an Average Joe, my other brother, Glenn G."

No further Super Bowl rings await Gronkowski on the pickleball court but its enough to satisfy his competitive thirst.

"I’m happily retired," Gronkowski clarified. "I’m still competing. I’m still winning, so I don’t even need to go back to football.”


Geoff Magliocchetti is on Twitter @GeoffJMags

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