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 NFL tight end, widely considered one of the greatest of all time. He played nine seasons 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 selection. He was also named to the NFL 2010s All-Decade Team and the NFL 100th Anniversary All-Time Team, solidifying his legacy as a dominant force in professional football.

Sections (5)

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

1924: Great-Grandfather Competed in Olympics

In 1924, Ignatius Gronkowski, Rob Gronkowski's great-grandfather, represented the United States in cycling at the Summer Olympics in Paris.

1977: Father Played College Football

In 1977, Gordon Gronkowski, Rob's father, began playing college football as a guard for Syracuse University.

1981: Father's College Football Career Ended

In 1981, Gordon Gronkowski's college football career at Syracuse University ended.

May 14, 1989: Robert James Gronkowski Born

On May 14, 1989, Robert James Gronkowski, nicknamed "Gronk", was born. He would later become a professional football tight end.

Others born on this day/year

2006: Moved to Pittsburgh and Attended Woodland Hills High School

In 2006, Gronkowski moved to suburban Pittsburgh and attended Woodland Hills High School for his senior year.

2007: Attended University of Arizona

In 2007, Gronkowski attended the University of Arizona and played for the Arizona Wildcats football team as a freshman.

2007: Graduated from Woodland Hills High School

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

2008: Recorded 10 Touchdowns

During the 2008 season, Gronkowski recorded 47 receptions for 672 yards and a team-best ten touchdowns for the Arizona Wildcats.

2008: Parents Divorced

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

2008: Earned All-American Honors

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

2009: Missed Junior Season Due to Back Surgery

Gronkowski missed his junior season in 2009 due to back surgery, which impacted his draft stock.

2009: Played Last Season at Arizona

Gronkowski played his last season for the Arizona Wildcats football team in 2009.

2012: "Yo soy fiesta!"

During an on-air interview with ESPN Deportes after an AFC Championship win in 2012, Gronkowski responded in Spanish answering, "¡Yo soy fiesta!" (literally, "I am party!") when asked how he will celebrate the victory. The clip went viral, and his Gronk Nation, L.L.C. later trademarked the catchphrase.

2012: "Gronk Flakes" Manufactured

In 2012, PLB Sports began manufacturing "Gronk Flakes", a frosted cornflakes breakfast cereal named after and endorsed by Gronkowski. Its initial run of 64,800 boxes cost $3.99 each and available at Stop & Shop supermarkets in New England.

2012: First Fumble since 2012

In the opening game against the Houston Texans, Gronkowski had seven receptions for 123 yards and one touchdown in a 27–20 victory. He also fumbled for the first time since 2012.

February 2013: Forearm Infection Diagnosis

In February 2013, Gronkowski was diagnosed with an infection in his forearm and underwent an open procedure.

May 20, 2013: Fourth Surgery on Forearm

On May 20, 2013, Gronkowski underwent a fourth surgery on his forearm to replace hardware and perform tissue biopsies. Doctors were encouraged that the infection had finally resolved.

June 18, 2013: Back Surgery

On June 18, 2013, Gronkowski underwent back surgery.

December 2014: "A Gronking To Remember" Published

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: Memoir Published

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, which became a New York Times Bestseller.

It's Good to Be Gronk

Check it on Amazon

2015: Appearance in "Entourage"

In 2015, Gronkowski appeared as fictionalized versions of himself in the film "Entourage".

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2015: "Gronk's Hot Sauce" Released

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

2015: Gronk Fitness Started

Started in 2015, Gronkowski and his four brothers operate Gronk Fitness, a fitness business that sells Gronk-branded gym equipment and has partnerships with other fitness companies including Life Fitness and Xtreme Monkey.

2016: Co-host of Crashletes

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

2016: Madden NFL 17 Cover

In 2016, Gronkowski was featured on the cover of the video sports game Madden NFL 17 published by EA Sports for PlayStation 4, PlayStation 3, Xbox One and Xbox 360. The cover featured the tight end in his signature touchdown celebration called the "Gronk Spike".

2017: Appearances in TV shows and film

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

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2017: Tide Endorsements and PSA

In 2017, Gronkowski appeared in several advertisements for Tide, including commercials for Super Bowl LI. He was also the endorser of Tide Pods and partnered with the brand for a public service announcement discouraging children and teens from eating the laundry detergent pods after a viral internet challenge.

2017: Executive Producer of MVP

In 2017, Gronkowski executive produced and hosted Verizon's Go90 original show "MVP" in which business owners and entrepreneurs pitch their products or services to a panel of VIP athletes.

2017: WrestleMania 33 Cameo

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

July 2018: Joined Shark Week

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

March 24, 2019: Retirement from NFL

On March 24, 2019, Gronkowski announced his retirement from the NFL at 29 years old.

August 2019: CBD Oil Advocate

In August 2019, Gronkowski credited cannabidiol (CBD) oil for making him pain-free for the first time in a decade and has advocated sports governing bodies to allow players to use it for pain management.

2019: Fox Sports Analyst

In 2019, Gronkowski joined Fox Sports as an analyst for its NFL programming during his year-long retirement, making his on-air debut during Fox NFL Thursday. Gronkowski also co-hosted Fox's New Year's Eve with Steve Harvey in New York.

April 2020: Starred in "I'll Wait" music video

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

May 27, 2020: Team captain in Game On!

On May 27, 2020, 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, after being the longest-reigning champion of the title in a single run, 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 newly born greater one-horned rhino "Gronk" to celebrate Gronkowski joining the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

March 2021: NFT card collection sold

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

2021: Charitable Donations

In 2021, Gronkowski and his partner Camille Kostek donated more than 20,000 pieces of personal protective equipment to hospitals and fire departments during the COVID-19 pandemic. He also donated $1.2 million to renovate the Charlesbank Playground at Boston's Charles River Esplanade.

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.

June 21, 2022: Second Retirement Announcement

On June 21, 2022, Gronkowski announced his retirement from the NFL for a 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 vaccine development for valley fever

In September 2023, Gronkowski met with members of the United States House of Representatives to discuss the development of a vaccine for valley fever.

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

On October 15, 2024, the podcast "Dudes on Dudes with Gronk and Jules" premiered, which was founded in partnership with his former teammate Julian Edelman and Assaf Swissa.

October 2024: Nuthouse Sports Established

In October 2024, Gronkowski partnered with Julian Edelman and Assaf Swissa to establish Nuthouse Sports, launching the podcast "Dudes on Dudes with Gronk and Jules."