Gronkowski won three Super Bowl titles during his nine years with the Patriots before retiring in 2019. The soon-to-be 32-year-old came out of retirement a year later to join Tom Brady in Tampa, where they won Super Bowl LV with the Buccaneers. Gronkowski re-signed with the Bucs on a one-year, $10 million deal in March.
“A big man with a big heart,” said Massachusetts Governor Charlie Baker, who was there to accept the donation. The money will go to the nonprofit Esplanade Association and the Massachusetts Department of Conservation.
A state lawmaker then introduced legislation on Friday to rename the playground after Gronk.
Said Gronkowski: “No matter where I go or where I live, I will always have a special connection to New England and the people who live here.”
