New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft will miss Rob Gronkowski’s induction into the franchise’s Hall of Fame on Saturday as he recovers from back surgery. ESPN’s Mike Reiss reported Thursday that doctors have told Kraft, 85, to stay off his feet. Kraft will also miss Sunday’s home game against the Green Bay Packers and New England’s Week 10 trip to Munich to face the Detroit Lions.
His absence comes during a weekend built around the franchise’s championship history. Along with Gronkowski’s induction, the organization is hosting a reunion for its 2016 Super Bowl-winning team to mark the 10th anniversary of that season. The Patriots have scheduled Saturday’s ceremony for 1 p.m.
ET at Patriot Place Plaza, outside the team’s Hall of Fame. The event is free and open to the public. Gronkowski will become the Hall’s 38th inductee after fans selected him in a vote announced April 29.
He follows Julian Edelman, Tom Brady and Mike Vrabel, making him the fourth consecutive inductee to have won at least three Super Bowls with New England. The Patriots drafted Gronkowski 42nd overall in 2010, and he spent nine seasons with the team. He caught 521 regular-season passes for 7,861 yards and 79 touchdowns during that stretch, adding another touchdown on the ground.
Those 80 total touchdowns remain a franchise record. His receiving yardage ranks second in team history, while his postseason production included another 81 catches, 1,163 yards and 12 touchdowns. Gronkowski’s celebration will continue Sunday with a halftime recognition during the Packers game.
Members of the 2016 championship team are also scheduled to be introduced before kickoff.
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