Robert Kraft shares disappointing news ahead of Rob Gronkowski’s Patriots HOF induction

Nov 8, 2023; Foxborough, Massachusetts, USA; The owner of the New England Revolution, Robert Kraft, looks on during warms ups before the game against the Philadelphia Union at Gillette Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brian Fluharty-USA TODAY SportsOn Thursday, New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft revealed that he will miss former Patriot Rob Gronkowski’s induction into the team’s Hall of Fame.Kraft is currently recovering from back surgery, which he said will keep him “on injured reserve.” Along with Gronkowski’s induction, Kraft will likely miss Sunday’s home game against the Green Bay Packers and the Patriots’ trip to Munich to face the Detroit Lions the following week, per doctors’ instructions.“As much pain as I was in before having surgery, it pains me even more to miss the ceremony,” Kraft told ESPN’s Mike Reiss.Gronkowski and Kraft have now both dealt with back surgeries, but the 85-year-old found humor in the comparison, as he once said he wanted to come back as Gronk in his next life.“I always told Gronk that in my next life, I wanted to come back as him because I had never seen him have a bad day. But after a couple of back surgeries, I take that back. I never want to experience that again,” Kraft added.Fans voted Gronkowski into the Patriots Hall of Fame in April in his first year of eligibility.The timing of the ceremony was built around Gronkowski’s schedule. Gronkowski, a contributor to Fox’s pregame show on Sundays, is set to be inducted on Saturday and recognized at halftime of Sunday’s game against the Packers, which is Fox’s only game at Gillette Stadium this season. Sidelined by his surgery, Kraft reminisced about Gronkowski’s early days with the team.“I just love Gronk. One of my greatest moments of love and affection for him was draft day, celebrating on the stage with his dad and brothers. It personified who he is,” Kraft said. “He became a fan favorite almost immediately and remained the standard at tight end for nearly a decade.”Though 5-3, the Patriots have been hit hard by injuries to star wide receiver A.J. Brown, running back TreVeyon Henderson, wide receivers Mack Hollins and Romeo Doubs, and starting guards Mike Onwenu and Alijah Vera-Tucker. Tight end Hunter Henry is also out after he left Sunday’s game against the Miami Dolphins with a foot injury.As the season nears the middle, the Patriots and Kraft could use some of the formidable spirit Gronkowski brought to the locker room during his time as No. 87.The post Robert Kraft shares disappointing news ahead of Rob Gronkowski’s Patriots HOF induction appeared first on The Comeback: Today’s Top Sports Stories & Reactions.