Rob Gronkowski facts for kids

Quick facts for kids
Rob Gronkowski

Gronkowski in 2019
No. 87
Position:	Tight end
Personal information
Born:	(1989-05-14) May 14, 1989 (age 36) Amherst, New York, U.S.
Height:	6 ft 6 in (1.98 m)
Weight:	265 lb (120 kg)
Career information
High school:	Woodland Hills (Churchill, Pennsylvania)
College:	Arizona (2007–2009)
NFL Draft:	2010 / Round: 2 / Pick: 42
Career history
New England Patriots (2010) Tampa Bay Buccaneers (2020)
Career highlights and awards
4× Super Bowl champion (XLIX, LI, LIII, LV) NFL Comeback Player of the Year (2014) 4× First-team All-Pro (2011, 2014, 2015, 2017) 5× Pro Bowl (2011, 2012, 2014, 2015, 2017) NFL receiving touchdowns leader (2011) NFL 2010s All-Decade Team NFL 100th Anniversary All-Time Team PFWA All-Rookie Team (2010) New England Patriots All-2010s Team New England Patriots All-Dynasty Team Third-team All-American (2008) First-team All-Pac-10 (2008) NFL records: Most total touchdowns in a season by a tight end: 18 Most receiving touchdowns in a season by a tight end: 17
Career NFL statistics
Receptions: 621 Receiving yards: 9,286 Receiving touchdowns: 92
Player stats at PFR

Robert James Gronkowski (born May 14, 1989) is a former professional football tight end. He played in the National Football League (NFL) for 11 seasons. People often called him "Gronk".

Gronkowski played nine seasons for the New England Patriots. He then played his last two seasons for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Many consider him one of the best tight ends ever. He won the Super Bowl four times. He was also chosen for the Pro Bowl five times. He was named a first-team All-Pro four times. He is part of the NFL 2010s All-Decade Team and the NFL 100th Anniversary All-Time Team.

Gronkowski played college football for the Arizona Wildcats. He earned All-American honors in 2008. Even though he played only two college seasons, he set team records for his position. These records were for average yards per catch (18.8) and total receiving yards (1,197). The Patriots picked Gronkowski in the second round of the 2010 NFL draft. He became a key player for the Patriots' successful team.

He was a great tight end because he was good at both catching passes and blocking. He set several NFL records. He was the first tight end to lead the league in receiving touchdowns (17 in 2011). He also has the most catches (23) and receiving yards (297) by a tight end in Super Bowl history. He holds the Patriots' record for total receiving touchdowns (79).

Early Life and Sports Beginnings

Gronkowski was born in Amherst, New York, on May 14, 1989. He grew up in Williamsville. He is the second youngest of Gordon Gronkowski and Diane Walters' sons. His father played college football for Syracuse University. He later started a fitness equipment business. Gronkowski's great-grandfather, Ignatius Gronkowski, was an Olympic cyclist. All four of Rob's brothers also played professional sports.

Gronkowski played hockey until he was 14. Then he started playing basketball. He went to Williamsville North High School for three years. He played tight end and defensive end in football. He also played center in basketball and first baseman in baseball. In his junior year of football, he caught 36 passes for 648 yards. He also scored seven touchdowns. He was named an All-Western New York first-team player.

In 2006, Gronkowski moved to suburban Pittsburgh. He attended Woodland Hills High School for his senior year. He caught eight passes for 152 yards and four touchdowns there. He was named a SuperPrep All-American. He graduated from Woodland Hills in 2007.

College Football Journey

After high school, Gronkowski went to the University of Arizona. He played for the Arizona Wildcats football team from 2007 to 2009. As a freshman in 2007, he caught 28 passes for 525 yards. He scored six touchdowns. His 18.8 yards per catch was the best on the team. It was also a school record for a tight end. He was named a freshman All-American.

Gronkowski missed the first three games of the 2008 season. But he still caught 47 passes for 672 yards. He scored a team-best ten touchdowns. He set school records for a tight end in single-game, single-season, and career catches, yards, and touchdowns. He was named an All-American.

He missed his junior season in 2009 because of back surgery. This caused his draft position to drop.

College Statistics

Professional Football Career

Gronkowski was picked by the New England Patriots in the second round of the 2010 NFL draft. He was the 42nd player chosen. He signed a four-year contract.

New England Patriots Years (2010–2018)

2010 Season: A Strong Start

In his first regular season game, Gronkowski caught his first touchdown. In Week 10, he caught three touchdown passes. This made him the first rookie in Patriots history to do so. He was also the youngest rookie in NFL history to achieve this. He finished his rookie season with 42 catches for 546 yards. He scored 10 touchdowns. He was the first rookie tight end since the NFL-AFL merger to score 10 touchdowns. He was named to the NFL All-Rookie Team.

2011 Season: Record-Breaking Performance

Gronkowski (#87) in a 2011 game against the Indianapolis Colts

Gronkowski had an amazing 2011 season. He broke the NFL record for touchdowns by a tight end in a single season. He scored 18 total touchdowns, with 17 of them from catches. He also set a new NFL record for receiving yards by a tight end with 1,327 yards. He was the first tight end in NFL history to lead the league in receiving touchdowns. He was chosen for the 2012 Pro Bowl and the All-Pro first team.

2012–2013 Seasons: Injuries and Comeback

Gronkowski during the 2013 season

In 2012, Gronkowski signed a large contract extension. He continued to score many touchdowns. He became the first tight end to have three seasons with at least 10 touchdown catches in a row. However, he suffered a left forearm injury. He missed some games and the rest of the playoffs. In 2013, he had more surgeries on his arm and back. He returned to play later in the season. But he then tore his ACL and MCL in his right knee, ending his season early.

2014 Season: NFL Comeback Player of the Year

Gronkowski in 2013

Gronkowski returned strong in 2014 after his knee surgery. He caught 82 passes for 1,124 yards. He also scored 12 touchdowns. He became the first tight end to catch at least 10 touchdowns in four different seasons. The Patriots won Super Bowl XLIX that year. Gronkowski played a big part, catching 6 passes for 68 yards and a touchdown. He won the NFL Comeback Player of the Year award for his great season.

2015 Season: More Dominance

Gronkowski with then US President Barack Obama at an event to honor the team and their Super Bowl XLIX victory, at the White House on April 23, 2015.

In 2015, Gronkowski continued to be a top player. He had another season with over 1,000 receiving yards and 11 touchdowns. He was chosen for the 2016 Pro Bowl and the All-Pro first team again.

2016–2018 Seasons: Super Bowl Wins and Retirement

Gronkowski missed games in 2016 due to a hamstring and back injury. He had surgery for a herniated disk. Even though he was injured, the Patriots won Super Bowl LI, giving him his second Super Bowl ring.

In 2017, he had another strong season with 1,084 receiving yards and eight touchdowns. He was named to his fifth Pro Bowl. The Patriots reached Super Bowl LII but lost.

In 2018, Gronkowski helped the Patriots win Super Bowl LIII. He had a key 29-yard catch that set up the only touchdown of the game. This was his third Super Bowl win with the Patriots.

On March 24, 2019, Gronkowski announced his retirement from the NFL. He said the pain and injuries from his career had made football less enjoyable.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers Years (2020–2021)

2020 Season: Return to Football

Gronkowski during the January 9, 2021, wild card game against the Washington Football Team

On April 21, 2020, Gronkowski decided to come out of retirement. The Patriots traded him to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. This reunited him with his former teammate Tom Brady. He caught his first touchdown with the Buccaneers in October 2020. He finished the season with 45 catches for 623 yards and seven touchdowns.

Gronkowski caught two touchdown passes from Tom Brady in the Buccaneers' 31–9 victory over the Chiefs in Super Bowl LV. This was his fourth Super Bowl championship. He and Brady set a new record for most postseason touchdowns between a quarterback and receiver (14). He also became the first player to catch a pass in five different Super Bowls.

2021 Season and Second Retirement

On March 22, 2021, Gronkowski re-signed with the Buccaneers. He started the season well, with two touchdowns in each of his first two games. However, he suffered multiple rib fractures and a punctured lung in Week 3. This kept him out for several weeks. He returned later in the season and continued to make big plays. He finished the 2021 season with 55 catches for 802 yards and six touchdowns.

Gronkowski announced his retirement for a second time on June 21, 2022.

NFL Career Statistics

Regular season

Postseason

NFL Records and Achievements

NFL Records

Game and Season Records

• First tight end to lead the league in receiving touchdowns (2011).
• Most touchdown receptions by a tight end in a season: 17 (2011).

Post-Season Records

• First tight end with over 1,000 career postseason receiving yards.

Patriots Franchise Records

• Most career touchdown receptions: 79.
• Most games with multiple touchdowns: 16.
• Most games with 100+ receiving yards by a tight end: 26.
• Highest receiving yards per game average for a tight end (season): 82.9 (2011).

Awards and Honors

NFL

• 4× Super Bowl champion (XLIX, LI, LIII, LV)
• 4× First-team All-Pro (2011, 2014, 2015, 2017)
• 5× Pro Bowl selection (2011, 2012, 2014, 2015, 2017)
• NFL Comeback Player of the Year (2014)
• NFL 2010s All-Decade Team
• NFL 100th Anniversary All-Time Team
• New England Patriots All-2010s Team
• New England Patriots All-Dynasty Team

NCAA

• First-team All-Pac-10 (2008)

Media

• 2021 ESPY Award – Outstanding Team (with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers)

Organizational

• 2019 USO-Metro Merit Award

Professional wrestling

• WWE
  • WWE 24/7 Championship (1 time)
  • Slammy Award (1 time)
    • Celebrity of the Year (2020)

Football Legacy and Impact

Gronkowski changed the tight end position in football. He was seen as a unique and powerful player. ESPN said he had a "rare mix of power and grace."

He was praised for being good at many things. He could catch like a wide receiver and block like an offensive lineman. This made him a very complete tight end. At 6'6" and 265 pounds, he was a physically gifted athlete. He was also known for his high football intelligence. He was a great teammate, always positive and energetic. Bill Belichick, his coach, said his attitude would "never be forgotten." He was ranked as the top tight end in the annual NFL Top 100 Players five times. He is considered one of the best tight ends in football history.

His fun personality made him a fan favorite. He is known for his unique style and humor.

The "Gronk Spike" Celebration

Gronkowski is famous for his "Gronk Spike." This is how he celebrates after scoring a touchdown. He made the "spike" celebration popular again. He first did it on September 26, 2010. It became a fan favorite. Scientists even calculated that his arm moves very fast when he spikes the ball. He sometimes dances before his spike. In 2012, he even imitated a Queen's Guard before a spike in London.

Life Outside Football

In July 2015, Gronkowski co-wrote a book called It's Good to be Gronk. It became a New York Times Bestseller.

Since 2015, Gronkowski and his four brothers have run Gronk Fitness. This business sells gym equipment.

Gronkowski is known for his fun-loving personality. In 2012, he famously said "¡Yo soy fiesta!" (meaning "I am party!") in Spanish. This phrase became very popular.

In 2019, ESPN put Gronkowski on its "World Fame 100" list of most famous athletes. In March 2021, his first digital card collection sold for $1.2 million.

In October 2020, ZooTampa at Lowry Park named a baby rhino "Gronk" after him. In October 2024, Gronkowski and Julian Edelman started Nuthouse Sports. This entertainment studio launched a podcast called "Dudes on Dudes with Gronk and Jules."

Sponsorships and Endorsements

Gronkowski has appeared in many ads for big brands. These include Nike, Dunkin' Donuts, Visa, and T-Mobile.

In 2012, "Gronk Flakes" cereal was created. In 2015, "Gronk's Hot Sauce" was released. The next year, Gronkowski and Monster Energy released a "Gronk" drink.

He also appeared in commercials for Tide. He partnered with Tide for a public service announcement. This message warned kids and teens not to eat laundry detergent pods.

Professional Wrestling Appearances

Gronkowski is a big wrestling fan. He appeared at WrestleMania 33 in 2017. He helped his friend Mojo Rawley. He hosted WrestleMania 36 in 2020. He won the WWE 24/7 Championship at that event. He held the title for a long time. Later in 2020, he won a Slammy Award for Celebrity of the Year in WWE.

Film, Television, and Other Media

Gronkowski (right) on the set of Fox NFL Sunday in 2023

Gronkowski has been on the covers of many magazines. These include GQ and Sports Illustrated. He was on the cover of the video game Madden NFL 17 in 2016. The cover showed his famous "Gronk Spike."

Gronkowski has appeared as himself in movies like Entourage (2015) and 80 for Brady (2023). He also had roles in films like American Violence (2017). He was a co-host of Crashletes on Nickelodeon from 2016 to 2017. He also appeared on ABC's Shark Tank in 2017.

In 2017, Gronkowski produced and hosted a show called MVP. In this show, athletes gave advice to business owners. In July 2018, he joined Discovery Channel's Shark Week. He helped tag endangered tiger sharks.

In 2019, Gronkowski joined Fox Sports as a football analyst. He also co-hosted Fox's New Year's Eve with Steve Harvey in New York.

In 2020, Gronkowski competed on The Masked Singer as "White Tiger." He also co-hosted the 2022 Kids' Choice Awards with Miranda Cosgrove in April 2022. On December 31, 2024, he co-hosted Dick Clark's New Year's Rockin' Eve in Las Vegas.

Charity Work

Gronkowski coaching military kids for a two-day football camp at Joint Base Andrews in Maryland in 2015.

Gronkowski started the Gronk Nation Youth Foundation. This foundation helps kids stay active in school and sports. It gives them tools to follow their dreams. He said he wanted to give back because he had a lot growing up.

He has also helped the Make-A-Wish Foundation and the Patriots Foundation. He shaves his head every year for One Mission Buzz Off, which helps kids with cancer. He often visits children's hospitals and schools. In 2016, he received an award for his community service.

In March 2019, he received the Merit Award from United Service Organizations. In April 2019, he received the Wish Hero Award from the Make-A-Wish Foundation. This was for granting 14 wishes for children with serious illnesses.

Gronkowski and his partner Camille Kostek donated over 20,000 pieces of protective equipment to hospitals during the COVID-19 pandemic. In 2021, he donated $1.2 million to renovate a playground in Boston. He hoped it would encourage kids to be active.

In February 2023, Gronkowski partnered with an animal health company. He helped raise awareness about valley fever in animals. In September 2023, he met with members of the United States House of Representatives. They discussed developing a vaccine for valley fever.

Personal Life

Gronkowski's long-time girlfriend, Camille Kostek

Since 2015, Gronkowski has been in a relationship with model Camille Kostek. They first met at a Patriots charity event in 2013. They live in Foxborough, Massachusetts, and Tampa, Florida.

In 2015, Gronkowski said he had not spent any money from his NFL contracts. He lived off his earnings from business deals and appearances.

Selected Filmography

Film

Television

Music Videos

Images for kids

• 

  Gronkowski after winning Super Bowl LIII, 2019

See also

In Spanish: Rob Gronkowski para niños