Rob Gronkowski, 7 Others Nominated For Patriots Hall Of Fame
The New England Patriots will induct another member into the Patriots Hall of Fame in 2026.
Rob Gronkowski, 7 Others Nominated For Patriots Hall Of Fame originally appeared on NESN . Add NESN as a Preferred Source by clicking here . The New England Patriots Hall of Fame voting process is officially underway...
The Patriots' voting panel, which consists of journalists and longtime franchise contributors, will pick between eight former players: fullback Mosi Tatupu, wide receiver Wes Welker, tight end Rob Gronkowski, offensive lineman Logan Mankins, defensive lineman Julius Adams, linebacker Dont’a Hightower, safety Lawyer Milloy and kicker Adam Vinatieri. If a player receives the requisite number of votes, he will be made one of three finalists that will be voted upon amongst fans -- with the player who receives the most votes ultimately earning induction. Gronkowski, 36, is certainly the biggest name listed, as there is an argument to be made that he is not only the greatest tight end of his generation but the greatest tight end of all-time.
The Patriots signed the four-time Super Bowl champion to a one-day contract to allow him to retire a member of the franchise on Nov. 12, 2025. Gronkowski, who finished with 602 receptions, 9,024 receiving yards, and 91 touchdowns across 131 games with the organization, was named a Pro Bowler on five separate occasions and an All-Pro on four separate occasions -- all of which were during his time in New England.
Hightower is the only other player to make the list in his first year of eligibility. Welker, Mankins, Adams, Milloy, and Vinatieri have previously been finalists, with the latter recently earning his induction into the Pro Football Hall of Fame's Class of 2026. Tatupu is the lone player on the ballot to retire before the turn of the century.