Robert James Gronkowski, nicknamed "Gronk", is a former American football tight end known for his exceptional skills. He played 11 seasons in the NFL, predominantly with the New England Patriots, and then concluded his career with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Widely regarded as one of the greatest tight ends in NFL history, Gronkowski holds an impressive record, including four Super Bowl championships, five Pro Bowl selections, and four first-team All-Pro selections. He also earned a place in the NFL 2010s All-Decade Team and NFL 100th Anniversary All-Time Team.
1924: Ignatius Gronkowski represents the U.S. in cycling at the Paris Olympics
In 1924, Ignatius Gronkowski represented the United States in cycling at the Summer Olympics in Paris, France.
1977: Gordon Gronkowski starts playing for Syracuse University
In 1977, Gordon Gronkowski began his college football career as a guard for Syracuse University.
1981: Gordon Gronkowski ends his career at Syracuse
In 1981, Gordon Gronkowski finished his time as a college football guard at Syracuse University.
May 14, 1989: Rob Gronkowski is born
On May 14, 1989, Rob Gronkowski was born in Amherst, New York.
2001: Brandon Manumaleuna sets draft record
In 2001, Brandon Manumaleuna became the highest-drafted tight end out of Arizona.
2006: Gronkowski attends Woodland Hills High School
Gronkowski moved to suburban Pittsburgh in 2006 and attended Woodland Hills High School for his senior year.
2006: First Rushing Touchdown by a Tight End since Bo Scaife
In 2006, Bo Scaife scored a rushing touchdown as a tight end, a feat that was not replicated until Gronkowski achieved it in 2020.
2007: Gronkowski starts playing for the Arizona Wildcats
After graduating high school, Gronkowski attended the University of Arizona as a Pre-Business major and played for the Arizona Wildcats football team from 2007 to 2009.
2007: Gronkowski graduates from Woodland Hills High School
In 2007, Gronkowski graduated from Woodland Hills High School with a 3.75 GPA and 1560 out of 2400 SAT score.
2008: Gronkowski earns third-team All-American honors
During his sophomore year in 2008, Gronkowski earned third-team All-American honors while playing college football for the Arizona Wildcats.
2008: Gronkowski records 47 receptions for 672 yards and ten touchdowns
Gronkowski missed the first three games of the 2008 season but later recorded 47 receptions for 672 yards and ten touchdowns. He set school records for a tight end for single-game, single-season, and career receptions, yards, and touchdowns.
2008: Gronkowski's parents divorce
Rob Gronkowski's parents divorced in 2008.
2009: Rookie Season with the New England Patriots
In 2009, Gronkowski had a successful rookie season with the New England Patriots. He had his first 100-yard receiving game against the Miami Dolphins and caught two touchdowns against the Buffalo Bills. He finished the season with 42 receptions for 546 yards and 10 touchdowns. Despite missing his entire college season due to back surgery, he played in every game. He became the first rookie tight end since the NFL-AFL merger to score 10 touchdowns. The Patriots finished with a 14-2 record and won the AFC East, but lost to the New York Jets in the Divisional Round of the playoffs.
2009: Gronkowski ends his career with the Arizona Wildcats
Gronkowski attended the University of Arizona and played for the Arizona Wildcats football team from 2007 to 2009 under head coach Mike Stoops.
2009: Gronkowski misses junior season due to back surgery
Gronkowski missed his junior season in 2009 due to back surgery, which caused his draft stock to fall.
April 2010: Bill Belichick comments on Rob Gronkowski
In April 2010, Coach Bill Belichick commented on Rob Gronkowski's skills and personality.
July 25, 2010: Gronkowski signs 4 year contract with the Patriots
On July 25, 2010, Gronkowski signed a four-year contract with the Patriots worth $4.4 million, with a $1.76 million signing bonus.
September 26, 2010: Debut of the "Gronk Spike"
On September 26, 2010, Rob Gronkowski debuted his signature "Gronk Spike" touchdown celebration.
2010: Named to NFL All-Rookie Team
Gronkowski was named to the NFL All-Rookie Team in 2010.
2010: Matching his 2010 Touchdown total
In 2011, in Week 11 against the Kansas City Chiefs, Gronkowski caught two touchdown passes, equaling his total touchdown count from the 2010 season in just ten games.
2011: Strong Start to the 2011 Season
Gronkowski started the 2011 season strong with impressive performances in multiple games. He caught his first touchdown of the season in Week 1 against the Miami Dolphins and had multiple touchdowns in games against the San Diego Chargers, Buffalo Bills, New York Jets, and Kansas City Chiefs. By Week 11, he had surpassed his reception and yardage totals from the previous season.
2011: Gronkowski leads the league in receiving touchdowns
In 2011, Gronkowski became the first tight end to lead the league in receiving touchdowns (17).
2011: Pro Bowl Nomination and Awards
In 2011, Gronkowski was nominated for Pepsi NFL Rookie of the Week three times, winning twice. He finished fifth in fan voting for the Pro Bowl and received one vote for the Associated Press 2010 All-Pro Team.
2011: Setting New NFL Records for Tight Ends
In 2011, a week after tying the record for receiving touchdowns by a tight end, Gronkowski set a new record with 15 receiving touchdowns during a game against the Washington Redskins. He finished the game with 160 receiving yards, a career-high for him. He received his first AFC Offensive Player of the Week award for this performance and won NFL.com's "Hardest Working Man" award for the second week in a row. He concluded the season with 1,327 receiving yards, surpassing the previous record of 1,310 yards set by Jimmy Graham earlier that day. His 17 receiving touchdowns and 18 total touchdowns were both NFL records for tight ends. His 18 total touchdowns were second only to LeSean McCoy's 20 and were equivalent to the total touchdowns scored by the entire St. Louis Rams team that season. He was the first tight end to lead the NFL in receiving touchdowns.
June 8, 2012: Signing of a Record-breaking Contract Extension
On June 8, 2012, Gronkowski signed a six-year contract extension worth $54 million, the largest ever contract for an NFL tight end. The contract included an $8 million signing bonus.
2012: Gronkowski's First Fumble Since 2012
During the opening game of the 2018 season, Gronkowski fumbled for the first time since 2012, highlighting a rare mistake in his otherwise successful career.
2012: Imitates Queen's Guard
In 2012, Gronkowski imitated a Queen's Guard during a touchdown celebration at Wembley Stadium.
2012: "¡Yo soy fiesta!"
During an interview in 2012, Gronkowski exclaimed, "¡Yo soy fiesta!" in response to a question about celebrating a victory. The phrase became a popular catchphrase.
2012: Starting Tight End in the Pro Bowl and All-Pro Selection
Gronkowski was voted the starting tight end for the AFC in the 2012 Pro Bowl. He was one of eight Patriots players selected to the Pro Bowl, receiving 936,886 fan votes, the highest among AFC tight ends and the third-highest among all AFC players. He was also named to the AP All-Pro First Team for his performance as a tight end.
2013: Strong Start to the Season with Touchdowns and High Reception Yards
In 2013, Gronkowski began the season with receiving touchdowns in consecutive games against the Tennessee Titans and Arizona Cardinals. He also had significant receiving yardage in games against the Buffalo Bills, New York Jets, and St. Louis Rams.
2013: Meeting Camille Kostek
Rob Gronkowski and Camille Kostek first met in 2013 at a Patriots charity event on Thanksgiving.
July 2015: Publishes Memoir
In July 2015, Gronkowski co-wrote and published his memoir, "It's Good to be Gronk."
2015: Tom Brady's Comment on Gronkowski
In 2015, Tom Brady commented on Gronkowski's personality.
2015: Relationship with Camille Kostek
In 2015, Rob Gronkowski began a public relationship with model Camille Kostek.
2015: Financial Prudence
In 2015, Gronkowski revealed that he hadn't spent any of his NFL salary and lived off income from endorsements and other ventures.
2015: Starts Gronk Fitness
In 2015, Gronkowski and his brothers launched Gronk Fitness, a fitness equipment and partnership company.
May 2016: Oakland Raiders' scouting report of Gronkowski is revealed
In May 2016, pre-draft evaluations revealed that Raiders scouts had rated Gronkowski as the 'best all-around player in the draft'.
December 3, 2016: Gronkowski Placed on Injured Reserve
On December 3, 2016, Rob Gronkowski was officially placed on injured reserve after undergoing surgery for a herniated disk the previous day. This marked the end of his 2016 season.
February 5, 2017: Patriots Win Super Bowl LI
On February 5, 2017, the New England Patriots won Super Bowl LI, defeating the Atlanta Falcons 34-28. This earned Rob Gronkowski his second Super Bowl championship, despite being on injured reserve and not playing in the game.
December 19, 2017: Gronkowski Named to Fifth Pro Bowl
On December 19, 2017, Rob Gronkowski was named to his fifth Pro Bowl, recognizing his outstanding performance throughout the season.
2017: Gronkowski's Return and Injuries
In 2017, Rob Gronkowski returned to the field after missing much of the previous season due to injury. While he started strong, he suffered a groin injury in Week 2 and a thigh contusion in Week 5. Despite these setbacks, he continued to be a key player for the Patriots throughout the season.
January 2018: Gronkowski Named to AP All-Pro First Team
In January 2018, Rob Gronkowski was named to the Associated Press All-Pro First Team, earning him a $2.5 million incentive that had been added to his contract during the 2017 offseason. This recognition highlighted his exceptional skills and contributions to the team.
January 21, 2018: Gronkowski Suffers Concussion in AFC Championship
On January 21, 2018, Rob Gronkowski suffered a concussion during the AFC Championship Game against the Jacksonville Jaguars. He was placed on concussion protocol and did not return to the game.
December 9, 2018: Previous Touchdown
Rob Gronkowski's touchdown on October 18, 2020, marked his first touchdown since December 9, 2018, when he played for the New England Patriots.
2018: Gronkowski Returns for the 2018 Season
Rob Gronkowski returned for the 2018 season after announcing his decision to continue playing. He rejoined the Patriots and contributed throughout the season.
March 24, 2019: Gronkowski Announces Retirement
On March 24, 2019, Rob Gronkowski announced his retirement from the NFL at the age of 29. He revealed that the pain and injuries he sustained throughout his career had negatively impacted his mental health, leading him to step away from the game.
2019: Enters ESPN's "World Fame 100" List
Gronkowski was included in ESPN's "World Fame 100" list in 2019.
April 2020: Gronkowski Discusses His Retirement and Return
In April 2020, Rob Gronkowski spoke about his decision to come out of retirement. He emphasized that he only returned because he felt healthy and ready to play, indicating the importance of physical and mental well-being in his decision-making process.
April 21, 2020: Traded to Tampa Bay Buccaneers
On April 21, 2020, Rob Gronkowski was traded from the New England Patriots to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, where he reunited with former teammate Tom Brady.
October 2020: Rhino Named "Gronk"
In October 2020, ZooTampa at Lowry Park named a newly born rhino "Gronk" in honor of Gronkowski joining the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
October 18, 2020: First Touchdown with Buccaneers
On October 18, 2020, Rob Gronkowski scored his first touchdown as a Tampa Bay Buccaneer.
2020: Breaking the NFL Record for Touchdowns by a Tight End
In 2020, Gronkowski set the NFL record for touchdowns scored by a tight end in a single season. During a game against the Indianapolis Colts in Week 13, he scored three touchdowns, with one initially ruled a forward pass but later changed to a lateral pass and credited as a rushing touchdown. This became his only rushing touchdown of his career as of the end of the 2020 season. It was the first rushing touchdown by a tight end since Bo Scaife accomplished the feat in 2006. He ended the game with 14 total touchdowns, setting a new record, and tied for the receiving touchdown record with 13.
2020: Plays All Sixteen Games
Rob Gronkowski played in all sixteen games of the 2020 NFL season.
March 2021: NFT Card Collection Sale
In March 2021, Gronkowski's first NFT card collection sold for $1.2 million.
March 22, 2021: Re-signs with Buccaneers
On March 22, 2021, Gronkowski re-signed with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on a one-year deal.
2021: Injury-Plagued Season
In 2021, Gronkowski experienced several injuries that impacted his season.
June 21, 2022: Second Retirement
Rob Gronkowski announced his retirement from professional football for the second time on June 21, 2022.