Derek Sanderson Has Advice For Gronkowski On His Retirement After Nine Record-Breaking Years

Rob Gronkowski shocked his team and the fanbase with his decision to retire from the NFL. Many are interested in his future plans, but Gronk doesn’t say much. Boston Bruins great Derek Sanderson has something to say about it, and he has the best advice for Rob Gronkowski.

“Stay busy. Boredom can lead to bad decisions,” he said.

Sanderson has a few good reasons to say that. Turk was the master of bad decisions in the 1970s heyday of the Big, Bad Bruins and he can see himself in the now-retired tight end. Both him and Turk were great fans, won championships and played with the GOAT of their sports: Bobby Orr and Tom Brady.

Gronk is making his way to Canton after retiring. Sanderson was dealing with addiction to alcohol and drugs, and was left broke and sleeping on park benches. Turk is now sober for four decades, and has lectured more than 750,000 students and families on the dangers of substance abuse.

“Gronkowksi’s like me in that I think he’s a real dedicated player but he’s really shy,” Sanderson says. “He projects the bravado and the silliness because he doesn’t know what to say. I created this wild character for myself for the same reason. It was just a disguise.”

Gronk likes to party. Turk closed bars around Boston, and had so many problems in life. Things got even worse after he left the ice at the old Boston Garden.

“It was magical back in those days and so much fun,” Sanderson says. “Gronk is going to feel a great sadness when it finally sinks in that he’s no longer a Patriot, that he’s no longer special. I found that out for myself when I first had to wait in line at a restaurant.”

Sanderson had three comeback attempts, and believes that the tight end will return to the sport that kept him at the top.

 “But in the meantime, he shouldn’t wrestle or any of that crap, that’s worse for your body than football,” he added.

Sanders says Gronk should stay active and healthy.

“If he does that, he’ll be a legend in this town forever.”