Rob Gronkowski's Success and Achievements in Timeline

A success timeline featuring the most significant achievements of Rob Gronkowski.

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.

Sections (5)

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

2001: Brandon Manumaleuna's Record

In 2001, Brandon Manumaleuna held the record for the highest drafted tight end out of Arizona until Rob Gronkowski broke it in 2010.

2006: Bo Scaife's Touchdown

In 2006, Bo Scaife scored the last rushing touchdown by a tight end before Rob Gronkowski's in 2011.

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.

2010: NFL All-Rookie Team

In 2010, Rob Gronkowski was named to the NFL All-Rookie Team after his successful first season with the New England Patriots.

2010: Passing Reception and Yardage Totals

In 2011, after only eight games, Rob Gronkowski had already passed his reception and yardage totals from the 2010 season.

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: Pro Bowl Nomination

In 2011, Rob Gronkowski was nominated for the Pro Bowl. He also finished fifth in fan balloting at tight end and fourth overall among rookies.

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.

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.

2013: NFL Top 100 Players

In 2013, Rob Gronkowski was ranked 25th by his fellow players on the NFL Top 100 Players after having 790 receiving yards and 11 touchdowns despite missing some playing time in the 2012 season due to injury.

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.

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.

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.

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: 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.

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.

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.

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.

2019: ESPN's "World Fame 100"

In 2019, Gronkowski entered ESPN's "World Fame 100" list of most famous athletes in the world.

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.

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.