Rob Gronkowski is leaving the NFL after nine fun-packed, charming and charismatic seasons. His body also took a beating, almost as bad as the one he put on opponents. Looking at the life and times of the fantastic tight end of the New England Patriots, on and off the field.
The Combine
Gronk appeared at the Combine and put on a strong showing. He needed one as he missed the entire previous season at Arizona due to back surgery.
His Combine bench press show
How the Patriots grabbed Gronk
The Patriots wanted Rob Gronkowski but were not in position to select him. So, they swung a deal with the Oakland Raiders for the 42nd pick in the NFL Draft. The pick was a well-traveled one: The Bucaneers were the original owners of the pick, but traded it to the Raiders. The Patriots moved up two spots from the 44th to the 42nd pick, sending their second and sixth rounders to Oakland. The 44th pick turned into Lamarr Houston, who spent four seasons in Oakland with 16 1/2 sacks. The 190th pick was Travis Goethel, a LB from Arizona State, who played in eight games in 2010 and ’12.
Makes splash as a rookie
Rob Gronkowski started 11 games as a rookie. He played in all 16. He made 42 receptions for 546 years with 13 touchdowns as the Patriots went 14-2. The season ended on a low note as New England was upset by the New Jets, a team it had beaten by more than 40 weeks earlier.
Heartbreak in year 2
The full Gronk was on display as the Patriots went 13-3 in 2011. He made 90 catches for 1,327 yards and 17 touchdowns, which led the NFL. The season ended in disappointment, however, as the Giants upset the Patriots, 21-17.
Injuries limit Gronk
In his third season, Rob Gronkowski started the first 11 games. Those were all he would play as a he broke his left forearm while playing on the field goal protection unit against the Colts. He broke the forearm again in the divisional round of the playoffs.
Fun times at the ESPYs
The Gronkowski brothers gave everyone a taste of their fun side at the ESPYS in 2012 with this spectacular entrance. That’s Rob in the beige suit.
More injury woes in Year 4
Gronk had surgery on the problematic forearm. He also had surgery for a herniated disk in his back. The forearm surgery led to an infection snd two more surgeries, which sidelined him for the first six games of the season. Gronk returned but tore his right ACL when hit by Cleveland DB T.J. Ward. He had 39 catches and four TDs in the short season.
Finally, a Super season
It all came together for New England and Gronk in 2014. The team went 12-4 and won the Super Bowl. Gronk was in fine form, with 82 catches for 1,124 yards and 12 TDs. Gronk added three TDs in the postseason along with 16 catches and 204 yards.
The king of the parade
After the shocking end to the victory over the Seahawks, saved by Malcolm Butler’s interception, Rob Gronkowski let loose at the Patriots parade. A scene people would become familiar with in Boston.
Super dreams doused
The Denver Broncos ended New England and Gronk’s dreams of back-to-back rings. Gronk did have 72 catches for 1,176 yards and 11 TDs in the regular season.
A second ring
Gronkowski was riddled with injuries, again. A hamstring in preaseason caused him to miss the first two games of the season and kept him limited for the next two. Gronkowski then suffered a pulmonary contusion after absorbing a big hit from Seahawks safety Earl Thomas in November. He had a career-low 25 catches in 2016 but the Patriots staged a miracle rally to take the Super Bowl ring from the Falcons, 34-28, in overtime.
A WrestleMania debut
Gronk made a cameo at WrestleMania after the Super Bowl season. He helped his friend Mojo Rawley win the Andre the Giant Battle Royale.
Winding it down
The Patriots made it to the Super Bowl, again, but were upended by the Philadelphia Eagles in the game in 2018. Time for redemption came in 2019 and Gronk delivered in a big way in what would be his final NFL game. He made a diving, 29-yard grab to set up New England’s lone touchdown in a 13-3 victory over the LA Rams.
One more parade
Once again, the centerpiece of the parade was the great Gronk.
More than a gridder
Gronk, pictured here at event making donation to Boston Children’s Hospital, is charitable as well as charismatic.
Fan of other Boston teams
Gronk had some prime seats when he took in a Christmas game of the Boston Celtics in 2017.
A Bruins fan, too
The Boston Bruins were happy to celebrate No. 87, too.
Kids’ Choice presenter
A big kid, himself, so Gronk was the perfect choice to appear at the Kids’ Choice Awards.
