ATLANTA _ Rob Gronkowski has squeezed every ounce of fun out of his NFL career, playing with a sense of joy and passion few players have experienced. There is almost a childlike sense of wonder when you watch "Gronk" whirl around on a football field, catching passes, crashing into defenders, scoring touchdowns, and performing his patented touchdown spike as he does his best to break the football into pieces.
But at 29 and with far too many big hits behind him, it is a far more subdued Gronkowski who readies himself for Super Bowl LIII against the Rams. He is much more circumspect about his future _ a year after he first discussed the possibility of retirement _ and you get the sense that this will indeed be the last time we see the All-Pro tight end play an NFL game.
You get the sense that, win or lose, Gronkowski is ready to walk off into his football sunset. That after all the injuries _ some of them bumps and bruises, others requiring knee, back and forearm surgeries, and still others resulting in concussions _ it will be over on Sunday night.
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