Early Life and Education of Rob Gronkowski: A Complete Timeline

An overview of the childhood and early education of Rob Gronkowski, highlighting the experiences that shaped the journey.

Rob Gronkowski, nicknamed "Gronk", is a retired American football tight end renowned as one of the greatest in NFL history. He spent nine seasons with the New England Patriots and two with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, securing four Super Bowl championships. A five-time Pro Bowl selection and four-time first-team All-Pro, Gronkowski was also named to the NFL 2010s All-Decade Team and the NFL 100th Anniversary All-Time Team, solidifying his legacy as a dominant and impactful player.

Sections (5)

Full Timeline Early Life & Education Career & Achievements Success & Recognition Challenges & Struggles

1924: Great-Grandfather at the Olympics

In 1924, Ignatius Gronkowski, Rob Gronkowski's great-grandfather, represented the United States in cycling at the Summer Olympics in Paris and held five world records in the sport.

1977: Father plays for Syracuse

From 1977 to 1981, Gordon Gronkowski, Rob's father, played college football as a guard for Syracuse University.

1981: Father plays for Syracuse

From 1977 to 1981, Gordon Gronkowski, Rob's father, played college football as a guard for Syracuse University.

May 14, 1989: Robert James Gronkowski Born

On May 14, 1989, Robert James Gronkowski was born. He would go on to become a professional football tight end.

Others born on this day/year

2006: Move to Pittsburgh

In 2006, Gronkowski moved to suburban Pittsburgh and attended Woodland Hills High School for his senior year, recording 8 receptions for 152 yards and four touchdowns after initial ineligibility was overturned.

2007: Plays for Arizona Wildcats

In 2007, Gronkowski attended the University of Arizona as a Pre-Business major and played for the Arizona Wildcats football team, recording 28 receptions for 525 yards and six touchdowns as a freshman.

2007: Graduation from Woodland Hills

In 2007, Gronkowski graduated from Woodland Hills High School with a 3.75 GPA and a 1560 SAT score.

2008: Parents' Divorce

In 2008, Gronkowski's parents, Gordon Gronkowski and Diane Walters, divorced.

2008: All-American Honors

In 2008, as a sophomore, Gronkowski earned third-team All-American honors while playing college football for the Arizona Wildcats.

2009: Plays for Arizona Wildcats

From 2007 to 2009, Gronkowski played for the Arizona Wildcats football team.

2012: Queen's Guard imitation

In 2012, Gronkowski imitated a Queen's Guard, calling it "that little nutcracker dude", before his touchdown celebration while playing at Wembley Stadium in the United Kingdom.

2012: Manufacturing of "Gronk Flakes"

In 2012, PLB Sports began manufacturing "Gronk Flakes", a frosted cornflakes breakfast cereal named after and endorsed by Gronkowski.

February 2013: Forearm Infection Diagnosis

In February 2013, Rob Gronkowski was diagnosed with an infection in his forearm, leading to his third procedure on the forearm and a course of antibiotics.

May 20, 2013: Fourth Forearm Surgery

On May 20, 2013, Rob Gronkowski underwent a fourth surgery on his forearm to replace implanted hardware and perform tissue biopsies. Doctors were optimistic the infection had been resolved.

June 18, 2013: Back Surgery

On June 18, 2013, Rob Gronkowski underwent back surgery to address an injury.

December 8, 2013: Knee Injury

On December 8, 2013, Rob Gronkowski suffered a right knee injury, tearing his ACL and MCL, during a game against the Cleveland Browns due to a hit from safety T. J. Ward, prematurely ending his 2013 season.

December 2014: Publication of Erotica Novel

In December 2014, an erotica novel inspired by Gronkowski called "A Gronking To Remember", written by Lacey Noonan, was published.

A Gronking to Remember: Book One in the Rob Gronkowski Erotica Series

Check it on Amazon

July 2015: Publication of Memoir

In July 2015, Gronkowski co-wrote a memoir titled "It's Good to be Gronk" with Jason Rosenhaus. Published by Simon & Schuster's and Derek Jeter's Jeter Publishing, it became a New York Times Bestseller.

It's Good to Be Gronk

Check it on Amazon

November 29, 2015: Knee Injury Against Broncos

On November 29, 2015, during a game against the Denver Broncos, Rob Gronkowski sustained a right knee injury in the fourth quarter and had to be carted off the field.

2015: Launch of Gronk Fitness

In 2015, Gronkowski and his four brothers started Gronk Fitness, a business selling Gronk-branded gym equipment, partnering with other fitness companies.

2015: Appearance in Film Entourage

In 2015, Gronkowski appeared as a fictionalized version of himself in the film Entourage.

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2015: Release of "Gronk's Hot Sauce"

In 2015, after the success of "Gronk Flakes", PLB Sports released "Gronk's Hot Sauce".

December 3, 2016: Placed on Injured Reserve

On December 3, 2016, Rob Gronkowski was officially placed on injured reserve after undergoing surgery to repair a herniated disk sustained in a Week 12 game against the New York Jets, ending his season.

2016: Co-host of Crashletes

From 2016 to 2017, Gronkowski was a co-host of Crashletes on Nickelodeon.

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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.

2017: Appearances in Film and TV

In 2017, Gronkowski appeared in an episode of Family Guy entitled "Gronkowsbees", and had roles in the films American Violence and You Can't Have It, among others. He also competed in TBS's Drop the Mic and appeared on ABC's Shark Tank.

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2017: Executive Producer and Host of MVP

In 2017, Gronkowski executive produced and hosted Verizon's Go90 original show MVP, where business owners pitched products to VIP athletes.

2017: Cameo at WrestleMania 33

In 2017, Gronkowski made a cameo appearance at WrestleMania 33 during the André the Giant Memorial Battle Royal to help his friend Mojo Rawley.

2017: Partnership with Tide for PSA

In 2017, 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 21, 2018: Concussion in AFC Championship Game

On January 21, 2018, Rob Gronkowski suffered a concussion during the AFC Championship Game against the Jacksonville Jaguars and was placed in concussion protocol.

July 2018: Appearance on Shark Week

In July 2018, Gronkowski joined Discovery Channel's Shark Week, helping tag endangered tiger sharks in The Bahamas.

August 2019: Advocacy for CBD Oil Use

In August 2019, Gronkowski credited cannabidiol (CBD) oil for making him pain-free for the first time in a decade 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.

April 2020: Starred in Kygo's Music Video

In April 2020, Gronkowski and Camille Kostek starred in the music video of "I'll Wait" by Kygo.

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May 27, 2020: Premiere of Game On!

On May 27, 2020, Game On!, a sports-based comedy panel game show on CBS, premiered with Gronkowski serving as team captain.

June 1, 2020: Loss of WWE 24/7 Championship

On June 1, 2020, after being the longest-reigning champion, Gronkowski lost the WWE 24/7 Championship to R-Truth.

October 2020: Rhino Named After Gronkowski

In October 2020, ZooTampa at Lowry Park named their newborn greater one-horned rhino "Gronk" to celebrate Gronkowski joining the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

March 2021: NFT Card Collection Sale

In March 2021, Gronkowski's first NFT card collection sold for $1.2 million.

April 9, 2022: Co-hosted Kids' Choice Awards

On April 9, 2022, Gronkowski co-hosted the 2022 Kids' Choice Awards with Miranda Cosgrove on Nickelodeon.

October 15, 2024: Podcast "Dudes on Dudes with Gronk and Jules" premiered.

On October 15, 2024, Nuthouse Sports premiered "Dudes on Dudes with Gronk and Jules," the podcast starring Gronkowski and Julian Edelman

October 2024: Establishment of Nuthouse Sports

In October 2024, Gronkowski partnered with Julian Edelman and Assaf Swissa to establish Nuthouse Sports, an entertainment studio that launched the podcast "Dudes on Dudes with Gronk and Jules" on October 15, 2024.