Rob Gronkowski added to his already-lengthy injury history last year with back and ankle ailments that kept him out of three regular-season games.
The former Patriots tight end was able to finish the season strong and help New England earn ring No. 6, but it turns out that back issue was more serious than he or the team let on. In fact, Albert Breer of Sports Illustrated said Wednesday on "Zolak & Bertrand" that Gronk was close to getting yet another back surgery last season.
"My understanding was he was closer to needing a fourth back surgery than a lot of people knew last year," Breer said. "October, November he was dealing with some back stuff. I think that played into the decision to retire too because back injuries are the sorts of things that affect you when you're 50 or 60 years old."
Breer also notes the back issue could be what keeps Gronk from ever coming out of retirement.
"I was told after he retired, 'do not discount the impact of having gotten out of that season without needing the fourth surgery'," Breer added. "The idea of having another back surgery I think is something else that if he's going to come back, would certainly be hovering over his head."
(Hear everything Breer had to say in the video above)
Gronk may have avoided his fourth back surgery, but he did suffer a serious quad injury in his final game. During Tuesday's announcement of his partnership with a CBD company, an emotional Gronk opened up about how that injury -- and all the others -- took away from his joy for football.
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