Robert Kraft to Miss Rob Gronkowski's Patriots HOF Induction After Having Back Surgery

New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft will miss former tight end and franchise legend Rob Gronkowski's induction into the team's Hall of Fame on Saturday as he recovers from back surgery, he told ESPN's Mike Reiss .

"As much pain as I was in before having surgery, it pains me even more to miss the ceremony," Kraft said.

Kraft told Reiss the injury will keep him on "injured reserve." He said doctors told him to stay off his feet, so he won't be at the team's next two games: a home contest vs. the Green Bay Packers on Sunday and a neutral-site matchup against the Detroit Lions on Sunday, Nov. 15 in Munich, Germany.

Gronkowski is one of the greatest tight ends in NFL history, and he'll be inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame shortly, perhaps as soon as 2027, when he's first eligible for induction.

Gronkowski played nine seasons with the Pats (2010-2018) and two more with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers (2020-2021). During his time with New England, Gronkowski won three Super Bowls (2014, 2016 and 2018 seasons) and also made five Pro Bowls and four All-Pro First Teams.

He finished top five in the Associated Press Offensive Player of the Year race twice and won the AP's Comeback Player of the Year award in 2014 after being held to six games in 2013 .

Gronkowski also won his fourth and final Super Bowl with the 2020 Bucs.

The former University of Arizona star persevered despite dealing with a litany of injuries. He also underwent three back surgeries dating back to his time with the Wildcats.

"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," Kraft told Reiss. "But after a couple of back surgeries, I take that back. I never want to experience that again."

According to Reiss, fans voted Gronkowski into the team's Hall of Fame back in April during his first year of eligibility.

These days, Gronkowski is a full-time studio analyst on Fox NFL Sunday and Fox NFL Kickoff. According to Reiss, Kraft wanted to induct Gronkowski into the Hall of Fame earlier this season.

However, the only Pats home game airing on Fox this year is this Sunday, when Fox is also committed to its annual Salute to Service coverage in advance of Veterans Day.

Ultimately, the induction will take place Saturday.

Gronkowski will have a busy Sunday, as he'll be part of Fox's pregame Salute to Service coverage, which will broadcast simultaneously from the United States Military Academy at West Point in New York and the United States Naval Academy (Annapolis) in Maryland.

Kickoff in Foxborough, Massachusetts, is set for 4:25 p.m. ET.