Robert Kraft personally handed his former tight end Rob Gronkowski multiple Super Bowl championship rings, but back surgery kept him from giving Gronkowski the New England Patriots red jacket he earned as the latest headline entrant into the team's ring of fame.

Kraft missed Gronkowski's induction into the Patriots Hall of Fame at Patriot Place Plaza in Foxborough because back surgery forced him to deliver his Hall of Fame speech on video. The 85-year-old is recovering from a procedure to relieve chronic back pain.

Rather than let the occasion pass without him, the NFL owner phoned in a recorded message for the tight end he drafted in 2010. Kraft also made sure his former five-time Pro Bowler knew how much he wanted to attend the event in person to support a franchise great.

"Gronk, I love you man," Kraft began. "Since the first day we drafted you, I could see you on stage with your dad and your brothers, and you became family."

Kraft remembered Gronkowski's infectious personality. He said Gronk made coming to work better. Missing the celebration hurt more than he expected.

"For as much pain as I had doing what I just did, the pain of missing this celebration and having the privilege of putting you into the Hall of Fame with a red jacket is so disappointing to me," Kraft continued. "I love you, man."

The absence broke an impressive run of personal appearances at Patriots Hall ceremonies. Kraft attended Mike Vrabel's induction in 2023 and presided over Tom Brady's 2024 celebration, where he announced the retirement of No. 12 and plans for a bronze statue.

Gronkowski showed up for Brady and Vrabel at their Patriots Hall celebrations. Brady called Gronk the GOAT after reposting a video of their hug at the event and saying he "couldn't miss" the celebration.

Doctors have reportedly told Kraft to stay off his feet. He will miss Sunday's home game against the Packers and the upcoming trip to Germany to face the Lions.

For Gronkowski, the night was a chance to embrace the franchise that believed in him after injuries complicated his college career at Arizona.

New England selected him in the second round of the 2010 draft after picking Devin McCourty first. Gronk believes fate led him to the Patriots, where he felt at home.

"I fell to the Patriots for a reason. I came to the Patriots for a cause," Gronkowski said. "It's where I belonged. It's where I was meant to be."

Gronkowski won three Super Bowls with New England. He caught 521 passes for 7,861 yards and scored 80 touchdowns in nine seasons for a franchise record. His 17 touchdown catches in 2011 are still the NFL single-season record for a tight end.