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“Felt Like We Were In Super Depression”: Rob Gronkowski Reveals How Playing For New England Severely Impacted His Mental Health

Aayush Shah
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Rob Gronkowski

Rob Gronkowski is one name that will haunt current and retired defensemen of the NFL that have played against him. The big body meat head tight end was supremely dominant during his playing days. Bullying defenses and trampling any defensemen that came his way to the end zone, Gronkowski was a problem for any opposition.

Though he was aided by the excellency of Tom Brady threading the needle and Bill Belichick in charge, Gronk was an exceptional talent. Without him, the Patriots may haven’t been as successful as they are.

The New England team was a team of generational talent. The best quarterback the league has seen, teamed up with the best coach and a tight end like Gronk., the Pats had the right recipe for success. The duo combined for 3 super bowls with the Patriots. Gronk even came out of retirement to join Brady in Tampa Bay. In Florida, the duo managed to secure another Vince Lombardi trophy.

Also Read: Is Rob Gronkowski Coming Back to NFL? Latest Tweet Sparks Fresh Rumors

Rob Gronkowski opens up on his mental health problems while playing for New England

As much as this is a physical sport, it is also mental. Any athlete requires the highest mental strength and focus to compete at the highest level. Mental fortitude often differentiates stars from legends, as this takes an athlete further in their journey. At 45, Tom Brady is still competing in the NFL in his 23rd season. While a lot had to go his way for him to be able to physically play, his mental conditioning of never giving up is what still keeps him going.

In a recent interview, Robert Gronkowski, the four-time super bowl winner, opened up about his mental health in the Pats camp. Being the greatest team in the league also adds a lot of pressure on the athletes. While it may all seem rosy on the outside, the pressure of being the best often makes athletes miserable. While pressure brings out the best in some athletes, it often makes some even crumble. Gronk spoke of the pressures of being on the best team. 

“If we won a game, the next day it felt like we still lost a game. And if we lost a game, it felt like you were in super depression for like two days … or like for the whole week,” said the former tight end. He also said that at one point, he didn’t want to win a game for the feeling of winning. He wanted to win, so he didn’t feel the misery of the loss throughout the week. 

However sad it may be, this often is the harsh reality of being one of the best. Gronk has retired while his former teammate Brady still plays. According to him, Tom Brady will be back for a 24th season. It will be interesting to see if he comes out of retirement another time and resumes his on-field bromance with the legendary quarterback.

Also Read: Tom Brady Admits Using German Beer As Bait To Lure Rob Gronkowski Back To The Buccaneers Squad

About the author

Aayush Shah

Aayush Shah

Aayush is an NFL writer at TSR. Having procured his Undergraduate degree in international business and management from Dickinson College in Pennsylvania. He is a Philadelphia Eagles fan and his favorite player is Odell Beckham Jr. When he’s not watching the NFL, you can watch him goal-tend professionally in the I-league or find him rooting for Manchester United over the weekends.

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