Gronk announces new CBD venture with RI company

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NEW YORK (WLNE) – Former New England Patriots player, Rob Gronkowski, is taking on a new post-retirement venture in the CBD business.

In a press conference on Tuesday morning, the former Patriots tight end said he’s teaming up with CBDMedic, a product made by Abacus Medical Products in Woonsocket, to promote a line of topical creams that are said to relieve pain.

Gronk says he started using the product by the advice of his father after he retired to help with pain during his nine NFL seasons with the Patriots.

“Countless injuries and nine surgeries which took an absolute beating on my body and my soul,” Gronkowski said. “I decided to walk away from the game for one main reason; I had to recover.”

Gronkowski is partnering with the Rhode Island company and will be releasing a line of products for those looking to recover and live a pain-free life.

He emotionally told reporters why he decided to step away from the game.

“I want to be clear to my fans, I needed to recover. I was not in a good place. Football was bringing me down and I didn’t like it,” he said.

Gronk said because of the products made by CBD Medic, it’s the first time he’s been living without pain for ten years.

But according to Dr. Keith Monchik, an orthopedic sports medicine surgeon, there’s not a lot of research out there that proves CBD is beneficial.

“There are two ways to practice medicine. One is with science and one is with anecdotal medicine. I tell people whatever works for them, as long as its safe for them, it’s great to use,” Dr. Monchik said. “Many patients use it, many patients try it, but it’s an unregulated industry.”

As far as his football future goes, Gronk did not shut the door on it, leaving open the possibility that he could one day return. But number 87 said that it won’t be happening anytime soon.

“If I’m feeling like I need to be out there on the field I will go back to football,” he said.

Meanwhile, Gronk is beginning to advocate for CBD products, which are banned in the NFL, and he’s hoping to use this platform to promote its use for professional athletes.

“I’m here today to appeal to the sports governing bodies of the world to update their position on CBD — whether that’s the NBA, MLB or NFL — it’s just time,” he said.

WLNE-TV / ABC6 2019