Rob Gronkowski speaks out on statue chatter after Tom Brady’s Gillette Stadium moment goes viral

Tom Brady’s 17-foot bronze statue outside of Gillette Stadium, immediately became a landmark in Foxborough in August. The tribute paid to the greatest quarterback in New England Patriots history led to the recognition of his 20-year legacy and six Super Bowl wins. Months later, the question has been on the minds of fans whether the next Patriots icon to have a statue would be another, Rob Gronkowski. But to have Gronk responding as he did, everyone was smiling.

“Just Make Me Tiny” a humble take on a statue by Rob Gronkowski.

Wednesday was the official retirement of Rob Gronkowski as a New England Patriot, signing a one-day contract with the upcoming team. 

In the ceremony, when the tight end was questioned on the concept of having a statue like his long-time teammate, Tom Brady, the tight end was quick to reject the idea. 

And with a smile, he added, “If you put one, just put me in the end zone, and be small. Because Tom is one of a kind. The greatest.”

It was classic Gronk, rogueish, respectful and humorous. He proceeded to commend the unsurpassed legacy of Brady, that all the statues that Gillette deserves are the ones it has. 

His humility was celebrated by the fans, in a way that makes people forget why Gronkowski is still one of the most popular players in the history of the Patriots club.

A Brotherhood and Championship Legendary Career

The 11-year tenure of Gronkowski with the Patriots was remarkable. Being one of the favourite targets of Brady, he has contributed to forming one of the most threatening quarterback/tight end combinations in the history of the NFL. The two won three Super Bowl championships together with Gronk briefly retiring in 2018.

Newly retired #Patriots TE Rob Gronkowski on a possible statue:

“If you put one, just put me in the endzone, and be tiny. Because Tom is one of a kind. The greatest. He played for 20+ years here. I think that the only statue to be deserved here is Tom Brady.”

(🎥: @Patriots) pic.twitter.com/r25WcjuM65

— New England Sports Fellow (@_JosephManning) November 12, 2025

Then, two years later, in the classic Hollywood style, he joined Brady at the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and the two won another Super Bowl in 2020. 

Gronk solidified his position as one of the greatest of all time with 92 receiving touchdowns (third most among tight ends) and more than 9200 receiving yards.

In the meantime, the statue of Brady, 17 feet in height and 12 in figure, is a commemoration of the 17 victories in the AFC East and six Super Bowl wins. It is a giant legacy- one Gronk graphically displays that he is proud to have stood next to it in his playing days. 

Rob Gronkowski has only one statue in the Patriots Hall of Fame and already, it looms large in his life, and that is the way he would have preferred it to be: a statue bigger than life, but one that has its foundation in gratitude.