Robert James Gronkowski, born May 14, 1989, and nicknamed “Gronk”, is an American football tight end for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers of the National Football League (NFL).
He previously played nine seasons for the New England Patriots. He is a four-time Super Bowl champion, a five-time Pro Bowl selection, a four-time First Team All Pro selection, and was selected in the NFL 2010 All Decade Team and NFL 100TH Anniversary Team.
Gronkowski played college football at the University of Arizona, where he won several awards, including being named a Sporting News and Rivals.com Freshman All-American.
Despite only playing two collegiate seasons, his 18.8 yards per reception average and 1,197 receiving yards were a team record for his position. The Patriots drafted Gronkowski in the second round of the 2010 NFL Draft with the 42nd pick, after he missed his junior year due to back surgery.
He is a receiver and blocker who has set several NFL records, including being the first player of his position to lead the league in receiving touchdowns in 2011. Gronkowski also has the most career post-season receiving yards by a tight end of 1,163 – the only tight end in NFL history to reach 1,000 or more yards in the playoffs. He has the most career post-season receiving touchdowns for his position with 14 to date, as well as the most combined receptions of 23 and receiving yards (297) by a tight end in Super Bowl history.
He is ranked first in average receiving yards per game (68.3), average yards per target (9.9), and average touchdowns per game (0.69) among tight ends.
Gronkowski is one of football’s most popular players, with a larger-than-life personality on and off the field. With his numerous accomplishments and accolades, he is regarded by many sports analysts, writers, and peers as one of his era’s best players, and arguably, the greatest tight end to ever play the game of football.
