Rise to Success: Career Highlights of Rob Gronkowski
From career breakthroughs to professional milestones, explore how Rob Gronkowski made an impact.
Rob Gronkowski, nicknamed "Gronk", is a retired American football tight end renowned as one of the greatest in NFL history. He played 11 seasons, nine with the New England Patriots and two with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Gronkowski is a four-time Super Bowl champion, a five-time Pro Bowl selection, and a four-time first-team All-Pro. His accolades also include being named to the NFL 2010s All-Decade Team and the NFL 100th Anniversary All-Time Team, solidifying his legacy as a dominant force in the sport.
2007: Freshman Year at the University of Arizona
In 2007, as a freshman at the University of Arizona, Rob Gronkowski recorded 28 receptions for 525 yards and six touchdowns. He was named a freshman All-American by The Sporting News and Rivals.com.
2008: Record-Breaking Season
In 2008, Rob Gronkowski recorded 47 receptions for 672 yards and 10 touchdowns after missing the first three games of the season. He set school records for a tight end in single-game, single-season, and career receptions, yards, and touchdowns. He was named an Associated Press third-team All-American and All-Pac-10 first-team tight end.
2008: All-American Honors
In 2008, while playing college football for the Arizona Wildcats, Gronkowski earned third-team All-American honors as a sophomore. His performance included setting team records for his position with an 18.8 yards per reception average and 1,197 receiving yards in only two collegiate seasons.
2009: Played for the Arizona Wildcats
From 2007 to 2009, Rob Gronkowski played for the Arizona Wildcats football team under head coach Mike Stoops. He excelled as a tight end during his time with the team.
2009: Missed College Season Due to Surgery
In 2009, Gronkowski missed his entire college season due to back surgery. Despite this, he did not miss a single game or practice in his first NFL season in 2010.
April 2010: Coach Belichick's Comments
In April 2010, Coach Bill Belichick commented on Rob Gronkowski's size, attitude, and aggressive playing style.
July 25, 2010: Signed with the New England Patriots
On July 25, 2010, Rob Gronkowski signed a four-year, $4.4 million contract with the New England Patriots, including a $1.76 million signing bonus.
September 26, 2010: Debut of the "Gronk Spike"
On September 26, 2010, Gronkowski debuted his signature "Gronk Spike" touchdown celebration after scoring his second NFL touchdown.
2010: Drafted by the New England Patriots
In 2010, The Patriots selected Gronkowski in the second round of the NFL draft with the 42nd pick after he missed his junior year due to back surgery. He became a major contributor to the franchise's dynasty.
2011: First Player of His Position to Lead the League in Receiving Touchdowns
In 2011, Rob Gronkowski became the first tight end to lead the NFL in receiving touchdowns, with a total of 17.
2011: Record-Breaking Season
In 2011, Rob Gronkowski set several NFL records for a tight end, including 1,327 receiving yards and 17 receiving touchdowns. He earned his first AFC Offensive Player of the Week award and NFL.com's "Hardest Working Man" award twice. His 17 receiving touchdowns were the most of any NFL player that season.
2011: Successful 2011 Season
In the 2011 season, Rob Gronkowski had a strong performance, including multiple games with significant receptions, receiving yards, and touchdowns. He caught his first touchdown of the season in Week 1 against the Miami Dolphins. In Week 11 against the Kansas City Chiefs, Gronkowski equaled his 2010 touchdown total after only ten games.
June 8, 2012: Contract Extension
On June 8, 2012, Rob Gronkowski signed a six-year, $54 million contract extension with the New England Patriots, which was the largest ever for an NFL tight end.
2012: Manufacture of "Gronk Flakes"
In 2012, PLB Sports began manufacturing "Gronk Flakes", a frosted cornflakes breakfast cereal named after and endorsed by Gronkowski.
2012: Left Forearm Injury
In 2012, Rob Gronkowski broke his left forearm late in the fourth quarter against the Indianapolis Colts. He re-injured his arm in the playoffs against the Houston Texans, requiring another operation and causing him to miss the remainder of the playoffs.
2012: Pro Bowl and All-Pro Selection
In 2012, Rob Gronkowski was voted the starting tight end for the AFC at the Pro Bowl and was also voted the tight end for the AP All-Pro first team.
2012: First Fumble Since 2012
In the opening game against the Houston Texans, Rob Gronkowski fumbled for the first time since 2012.
October 20, 2013: Return to Play Against the Jets
On October 20, 2013, Rob Gronkowski was cleared to play against the New York Jets, marking his return after back surgery. He subsequently recorded three 100-yard receiving games in a six-game stretch.
December 8, 2013: Right Knee Injury
On December 8, 2013, Rob Gronkowski suffered a right knee injury, tearing his ACL and MCL, after a hit from safety T. J. Ward during a game against the Cleveland Browns, ending his 2013 season prematurely.
2013: Contract Status
On June 8, 2012, Rob Gronkowski signed a six-year, $54 million contract extension, but the 2012 and 2013 seasons of his rookie contract remained intact.
2014: Pro Bowl and All-Pro Nominations
In 2014, Rob Gronkowski earned his third Pro Bowl nomination and his second First Team All-Pro nomination. His All-Pro nomination was unanimous. He finished the season with 82 receptions for 1,124 receiving yards and 12 receiving touchdowns, and the Patriots finished with a 12-4 record, winning the AFC East.
2014: Ranked 41st in NFL Top 100 Players
In 2014, Rob Gronkowski was ranked 41st by his fellow players on the NFL Top 100 Players list.
July 2015: Publication of "It's Good to be Gronk"
In July 2015, Gronkowski co-wrote a memoir titled "It's Good to be Gronk" with Jason Rosenhaus, which became a New York Times Bestseller.
September 10, 2015: Three Touchdown Performance Against Steelers
On September 10, 2015, during the Patriots' home opener on Thursday Night Football against the Pittsburgh Steelers, Rob Gronkowski caught five passes for 94 yards, scoring three touchdowns in their 28-21 victory. This marked his third three-touchdown performance.
November 29, 2015: Right Knee Injury Against Broncos
On November 29, 2015, during the Patriots' first loss of the season against the Denver Broncos, Rob Gronkowski was carted off the field after sustaining a right knee injury in the fourth quarter. Initial reports indicated the injury was less serious than it appeared.
2015: ESPY Comeback Player of the Year and NFL Top 100 Ranking
At the 2015 ESPY Awards, Rob Gronkowski won the Comeback Player of the Year award for his 2014 season. He was also ranked 10th by his fellow players on the NFL Top 100 Players of 2015.
2015: Appearance in the film Entourage
In 2015, Gronkowski appeared as a fictionalized version of himself in the film Entourage.
2015: Release of "Gronk's Hot Sauce"
In 2015, PLB Sports released "Gronk's Hot Sauce".
2015: Start of Gronk Fitness
In 2015, Rob Gronkowski and his four brothers started Gronk Fitness, a business selling Gronk-branded gym equipment and partnering with fitness companies.
May 2016: Raiders Scouts' Evaluation
In pre-draft evaluations revealed in May 2016, Oakland Raiders scouts had rated Rob Gronkowski as the "best all-around player in the draft" of 2010.
December 3, 2016: Placed on Injured Reserve
On December 3, 2016, Rob Gronkowski was placed on injured reserve after undergoing surgery to repair a herniated disk sustained in Week 12 against the New York Jets. This ended his 2016 season.
2016: Co-host of Crashletes
From 2016 to 2017, Gronkowski co-hosted Crashletes on Nickelodeon.
2016: Cover of Madden NFL 17
In 2016, Gronkowski was featured on the cover of the video sports game Madden NFL 17 published by EA Sports.
2016: Ron Burton Community Service Award
In 2016, Rob Gronkowski received the Ron Burton Community Service Award from the New England Patriots for his charitable works and leadership in the local community.
2016: Pro Bowl and All-Pro Selection
In 2016, Rob Gronkowski was selected to the Pro Bowl and the AP All-Pro first team for the fourth time in his career. He led all non-quarterbacks in fan voting for the Pro Bowl and received 48 of 50 All-Pro votes at tight end. He was ranked as the ninth best player on the NFL Top 100 Players of 2016.
February 5, 2017: Patriots Win Super Bowl LI
On February 5, 2017, the Patriots won Super Bowl LI against the Atlanta Falcons by a score of 34-28, earning Rob Gronkowski his second Super Bowl championship, although he was on injured reserve at the time.
December 19, 2017: Named to Fifth Pro Bowl
On December 19, 2017, Rob Gronkowski was named to his fifth Pro Bowl after finishing the 2017 season with 69 receptions for 1,084 yards and eight touchdowns.
2017: Appearances in Various TV and Film Roles
In 2017, Gronkowski appeared in an episode of Family Guy, had roles in American Violence and You Can't Have It, competed in TBS's Drop the Mic, and appeared on ABC's Shark Tank.
2017: Executive Producer and Host of MVP
In 2017, Gronkowski executive produced and hosted Verizon's Go90 original show MVP, where entrepreneurs pitched their products to VIP athletes.
2017: Groin injury and franchise record
In 2017, Rob Gronkowski injured his groin during a Week 2 victory over the New Orleans Saints, but did not miss any further games due to the injury. By Week 4 he was occupying his familiar role as the team leader in receptions and receiving yardage. In Week 12, against the Miami Dolphins, Gronkowski caught his 16th multiple touchdown game, which broke the franchise record previously held by Randy Moss.
2017: Partnership with Tide for PSA
In 2017, Rob Gronkowski partnered with Tide for a public service announcement discouraging children and teens from eating the laundry detergent pods after a viral internet challenge.
January 2018: All-Pro First Team Selection
In January 2018, Rob Gronkowski was named to the Associated Press' All-Pro First Team, earning a $2.5 million incentive added to his contract during the 2017 offseason.
January 21, 2018: Concussion in AFC Championship Game
On January 21, 2018, Rob Gronkowski suffered a concussion on a 21-yard reception during the AFC Championship Game against the Jacksonville Jaguars and did not return to the game. He was later cleared from the concussion protocol just in time for Super Bowl LII.
July 2018: Joined Discovery Channel's Shark Week
In July 2018, Rob Gronkowski joined Discovery Channel's Shark Week and helped tag endangered tiger sharks in The Bahamas.
December 9, 2018: Touchdown against Miami Dolphins
On December 9, 2018, Rob Gronkowski had his last touchdown reception before his first touchdown with the Buccaneers, after coming out of retirement.
2018: Return for 2018 Season
In 2018, Rob Gronkowski announced his return for the season after meeting with head coach Bill Belichick. He finished the season with 47 receptions for 682 receiving yards and three receiving touchdowns.
March 24, 2019: Retirement Announcement
On March 24, 2019, Rob Gronkowski announced his retirement from the NFL after nine seasons, citing the toll that pain and injuries had taken on his mental health.
March 26, 2019: Accepted Merit Award from USO
On March 26, 2019, Gronkowski accepted the Merit Award from United Service Organizations which recognizes individuals dedicated to serving others through volunteerism.
April 6, 2019: Honored with Wish Hero Award
On April 6, 2019, Rob Gronkowski was honored with the Wish Hero Award by the Make-A-Wish Foundation for his work on granting 14 wishes of children with life-threatening sicknesses during his professional football career.
August 2019: Advocacy for CBD Oil Use
In August 2019, Gronkowski credited cannabidiol (CBD) oil for making him pain-free and advocated for sports governing bodies to allow players to use it for pain management.
2019: Analyst for Fox Sports
In 2019, during his year-long retirement, Gronkowski joined Fox Sports as an analyst for its NFL programming and co-hosted Fox's New Year's Eve with Steve Harvey in New York.
April 2020: Gronkowski on coming out of retirement
In April 2020, Gronkowski said that he wouldn't come back to the game unless he was feeling healthy and ready to play. Taking a year off was the best decision he made, not just in his career, but also for his health and well-being.
April 21, 2020: Trade to Tampa Bay Buccaneers
On April 21, 2020, Rob Gronkowski agreed to come out of retirement and was traded by the Patriots to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, reuniting him with Tom Brady. The Patriots received a compensatory fourth-round pick in the 2020 NFL draft in exchange for Gronkowski and a seventh-round pick.
May 27, 2020: Premiered on Game On!
On May 27, 2020, Rob Gronkowski served as team captain in the sports-based comedy panel game Game On!, which premiered on CBS and ran for one season.
June 1, 2020: Lost WWE 24/7 Championship
On June 1, 2020, Gronkowski lost the WWE 24/7 Championship to R-Truth after being the longest-reigning champion of the title in a single run.
October 18, 2020: First Touchdown with Buccaneers
On October 18, 2020, Rob Gronkowski caught five passes for 78 yards and his first touchdown with the Buccaneers in a 38-10 victory over the Green Bay Packers. This was his first touchdown catch since December 9, 2018.
2020: Only Rushing Attempt
As of the conclusion of the 2020 season, the touchdown in 2011 was the only rushing attempt of Rob Gronkowski's career, and his only rushing touchdown.
2020: Played all sixteen games
The 2020 season was a rare season in which Gronkowski played all sixteen games.
March 2021: NFT Card Collection Sold
In March 2021, Gronkowski's first NFT card collection sold for $1.2 million.
March 22, 2021: Re-signing with the Buccaneers
On March 22, 2021, Rob Gronkowski re-signed with the Buccaneers on a one-year deal worth $10 million.
2021: Donations to Hospitals and Playground Renovation
In 2021, Gronkowski and Camille Kostek donated over 20,000 pieces of PPE to hospitals and fire departments and $1.2 million to renovate the Charlesbank Playground in Boston.
2021: Problematic Health Season
In 2021, Gronkowski faced health challenges, including multiple rib fractures and a punctured lung during a Week 3 game against the Los Angeles Rams, causing him to miss seven weeks. He finished the 2021 season with 55 receptions for 802 receiving yards and six receiving touchdowns.
April 9, 2022: Co-hosted Kids' Choice Awards
On April 9, 2022, Gronkowski co-hosted the Kids' Choice Awards with Miranda Cosgrove on Nickelodeon.
June 21, 2022: Second Retirement Announcement
On June 21, 2022, Rob Gronkowski announced his retirement from the NFL for the second time.
February 2023: Partnership with Animal Health Company
In February 2023, Gronkowski formed a partnership with an animal health company to raise awareness about valley fever in animals.
September 2023: Discussed Valley Fever Vaccine with Congress
In September 2023, Rob Gronkowski met with members of the United States House of Representatives to discuss the development of a vaccine for valley fever.
October 15, 2024: Podcast "Dudes on Dudes with Gronk and Jules" Premiered
On October 15, 2024, the podcast "Dudes on Dudes with Gronk and Jules," launched by Nuthouse Sports, premiered.
October 2024: Establishment of Nuthouse Sports
In October 2024, Gronkowski partnered with Julian Edelman and Assaf Swissa to establish Nuthouse Sports, an entertainment studio.
December 31, 2024: Co-host on Dick Clark's New Year's Rockin' Eve
On December 31, 2024, Gronkowski appeared in Las Vegas as a co-host on Dick Clark's New Year's Rockin' Eve.
May 2025: Filming Completed on "Bad News on the Doorstep"
In May 2025, filming was completed on the movie Bad News on the Doorstep in which Gronkowski portrayed a football coach.
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