Kraft to Miss Gronkowski Ceremony After Back Surgery

Kraft is recovering from back surgery and has been advised by doctors to rest, leaving him unable to attend Gronkowski’s Patriots Hall of Fame induction on Saturday. The ceremony is scheduled for 1 p.m. at Patriot Place Plaza, with Gronkowski also set to be recognized at halftime of Sunday’s game against the Green Bay Packers in Foxborough.

Kraft said missing the event was especially difficult after the pain he had experienced before surgery. He also joked that his own back operations had changed his earlier wish to return in another life as Gronkowski, who underwent multiple back surgeries.

In April, the Patriots selected Gronkowski for their Hall of Fame during his first year of eligibility. He spent nine seasons with New England and helped the Patriots win three Super Bowls, recording 521 regular-season catches, 7,861 receiving yards and 79 touchdown receptions for the team.

Kraft is also expected to miss the Patriots’ following game, against the Detroit Lions in Munich, Germany. The team hosts Green Bay on Sunday before traveling to Germany for the matchup next week. Kraft had hoped to align Gronkowski’s induction with his commitments to Fox, which is broadcasting a Patriots game this Sunday for the first time this season.