PHOENIX – The talk around the NFL’s Annual Meetings usually revolve around rule changes, trade rumors, free agent signings and any recent drama. This week, Rob Gronkowski abruptly became the talk of the town inside the Arizona Biltmore resort.

While owners, coaches and general managers were in meetings on Sunday, Gronk announced his retirement to the world. Here in Phoenix, you might see coaches smiling with the news. For Houston Texans coach Bill O’Brien, however, [...]

PHOENIX – The talk around the NFL’s Annual Meetings usually revolve around rule changes, trade rumors, free agent signings and any recent drama. This week, Rob Gronkowski abruptly became the talk of the town inside the Arizona Biltmore resort.

While owners, coaches and general managers were in meetings on Sunday, Gronk announced his retirement to the world. Here in Phoenix, you might see coaches smiling with the news. For Houston Texans coach Bill O’Brien, however, it was a little different.

When Gronk entered the NFL in 2010, O’Brien was the Patriots quarterbacks coach and the offensive play caller. In 2011, he became the official Patriots offensive coordinator and Gronkowski set the world on fire, breaking several tight ends records. O’Brian told the Providence Journal that Gronk’s abilities were evident from that first offseason.

“Gronk, you could tell right away he was going to be a great player because he had the combination of obviously a great skill set, but he had an unbelievable work ethic and energy,” O’Brien said. “He was an awesome teammate. He did so much for us there. I only coached him for two years, his first two years, but he was a guy that brought a level of toughness to our team. He obliviously was a great receiver, receiving tight end, but he could block. He just had a great skill set.”

Gronkowski's tight end record of 1,327 receiving yards, set in 2011, was finally bested this year by George Kittle and Travis Kelce. His total touchdowns (18) and receiving touchdowns (17) tight end record still stand.

Future Hall-of-Fame receiver Larry Fitzgerald was also in Phoenix on Monday, educating people on social justice. When asked about Gronk, the Cardinals receiver said, “He’s a Hall-of-Famer and he’s a Hall-of-Fame talent and personality. We’re going to miss him and what he brought to this game - his energy, his excitement, his love and passion will be sorely missed.”

Of course, with Gronk, you get more than just a phenomenal player. O’Brien will never forget how hard Gronkowski worked behind the scenes and how much he brought to the game of football. It might be a minor surprise to see a 29-year-old athlete retire, but Gronk's legacy is already in tact.

“I think the thing about him is he just decided, I don’t want to put words in his mouth, but decided that nine-ten years was about enough and he’s moving on to the next stage of his life,” O’Brien said. “The game will miss him because of his skill set but because of him as a person.”