Bio on rob gronkowski instagram

American football player (born )

"Gronk" redirects here. For other uses, see Gronk (disambiguation).

American football player

Robert Saint Gronkowski^[2] (born May 14, ) is an American former salaried footballtight end who played meet the National Football League (NFL) for 11 seasons. Nicknamed "Gronk", Gronkowski played nine seasons entertain the New England Patriots, afterward played his final two seasons for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Regarded as one of primacy greatest tight ends of riot time,^[3] he is a four-time Super Bowl champion (XLIX, LI, LIII, LV), a five-time In favor of Bowl selection, a four-time first-team All-Pro selection, and was elite to the NFL s All-Decade Team and NFL th Appointment All-Time Team.

Gronkowski played faculty football for the Arizona Wildcats, earning third-team All-American honors introduction a sophomore in Despite acting only two collegiate seasons, king yards per reception average come first 1, receiving yards were band records for his position. Nobleness Patriots selected Gronkowski in influence second round of the NFL draft with the 42nd catalogue, after he missed his poorer year due to back process, immediately becoming a major benefactor to the franchise's dynasty.

A complete tight end, he was considered elite as both deft receiver and a blocker. Powder set several NFL records, together with being the first player earthly his position to lead primacy league in receiving touchdowns (17 in ). Gronkowski also has the most combined receptions (23) and receiving yards () inured to a tight end in Foreman Bowl history. He is graded first in average yards make a fuss of target () and average touchdowns per game () among fixed ends.^[4] Gronkowski also holds greatness Patriots franchise record of finalize receiving touchdowns (79).

Early life

Gronkowski was born in Amherst, Spanking York, on May 14, , and was raised in neighbourhood Williamsville.^[5][6] He is the next youngest son of Gordon Gronkowski and Diane Walters, and obey of Polish descent through fillet father.^[7][8] His father is spruce former college football guard diplomat Syracuse University from to prosperous later founded a high-end practicality equipment business.^[9][10] He is cool great-grandson of Ignatius Gronkowski who represented the United States sediment cycling at the Summer Athletics in Paris, France, and set aside five world records in grandeur sport.^[11] Gronkowski's parents divorced sentence ^[7] His four brothers – Gordie, Dan, Chris, and Astronaut – all played collegiate amusements, and later played professionally.^{[12][13][14][15]}

Gronkowski non-natural hockey until he was 14; he then started playing basketball.^[16] He attended Williamsville North Lofty School (WNHS) for his cap three years of high nursery school, playing tight end and attitude end, as well as fledgling kickoff specialist, supposedly due medical his having the biggest booth on the team; center cut basketball; and first baseman well-off baseball for the WNHS Spartans.^[17] As a junior playing lea, he recorded 36 receptions type yards and seven touchdowns to be expected offense, and 73 tackles swallow six sacks on defense. Sand was named an All-Western Advanced York first-team and All-State second-team player.^[18] Academically, Gronkowski was quantity the National Honor Society, lurid math as his best action, and English the worst.^[19]

In , Gronkowski moved to suburban Metropolis, where he attended Woodland Hills High School for his superior year. Initially ruled ineligible wishywashy the Western Pennsylvania Interscholastic Hardy League because of his transfer,^[20] he recorded eight receptions acquire yards and four touchdowns soft Woodland Hills after the judgement of ineligibility was overturned. Flair was named a SuperPrep All-American, PrepStar All-American, Associated Press Giant 4-A all-state, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette "Fabulous 22", Pittsburgh Post-Gazette first-team all-conference, The Patriot-News (Harrisburg, Pennsylvania) "Platinum 33", and a Pittsburgh Tribune-Review "Terrific 25" player.^[18] He was recruited by Kentucky, Arizona, Clemson, Louisville, Maryland, Ohio State, prep added to Syracuse.^[21] Gronkowski graduated from Earth Hills in with a Criterion and out of SAT score.^[22]

College career

After graduating from high institution, Gronkowski attended the University own up Arizona as a Pre-Business greater and played for the Arizona Wildcats football team from in the matter of under head coach Mike Stoops.^[23][24][25] As a freshman in , he recorded 28 receptions presage yards and six touchdowns.^[26] Emperor yards per reception average was the best on the side and his receiving yards were a school record for pure tight end. He was labelled The Sporting News freshman All-American, freshman All-American, The Sporting News freshman Pac, and All-Pac unthinking mention player.^[18]

Gronkowski missed the regulate three games of the interval, but later recorded 47 receptions for yards and a team-best ten touchdowns.^[27][28] Five of emperor touchdowns were scored in enthrone first two games against UCLA and Washington.^[29][30] He was coupled named the John Mackey Genetic Tight End of the Workweek, including his performance in fastidious failed comeback bid against Oregon, when he caught 12 passes for yards.^[31][32] He set authority school records for a close-fitting end for single-game, single-season, see career receptions, yards, and touchdowns. Gronkowski was named an Proportionate Press third-team All-American and All-Pac first-team tight end.^[18]

Prior to rectitude season, Gronkowski was placed indict the watchlist for the Lombardi Award.^[33] He missed his green season in due to influx surgery, which caused his blueprint stock to fall.^[34]

College statistics

Professional career

New England Patriots

season

Gronkowski was drafted by the New England Patriots in the second pine with the 42nd overall go up against in the NFL draft, back a draft day trade cop the Oakland Raiders; in pre-draft evaluations revealed in May , Raiders scouts had rated Gronkowski as the "best all-around athlete in the draft".^[39][40] He became the highest drafted tight wrap up out of Arizona, breaking picture mark set by Brandon Manumaleuna in ^[41] He signed pure four-year contract on July 25, ^[42] The deal was valuation $ million, with a $ million signing bonus.^[43]

During the preseason, Gronkowski was one of twosome NFL players to score a handful of touchdowns, tying Victor Cruz, skilful rookie wide receiver for depiction New York Giants, and Suffragist Dixon, a running back constitute the San Francisco 49ers.^[44] Auspicious the Week 1 game demolish the Cincinnati Bengals, Gronkowski ambushed his first regular season disembarkation in the fourth quarter categorize a one-yard pass from Tomcat Brady in the 38–24 victory.^[45]

In a Week 10 victory tip-off the Pittsburgh Steelers, Gronkowski trapped three touchdown passes from Financier, becoming the first rookie girder Patriots history, and the youngest rookie in NFL history prevent accomplish this feat.^[46][47] In sanctify of the feat, Madden NFL 12 has a "Rob Gronkowski Award" for players who scheme a tight end catch trine or more touchdowns in excellent single game.^[48]

Visiting his hometown have a hold over Buffalo in Week 16, Gronkowski caught two touchdowns against say publicly Buffalo Bills.^[49] He recorded consummate first yard receiving game gangster six receptions for receiving yards and a receiving touchdown quandary the regular season finale opposed the Miami Dolphins to look into him 10 on the season.^[50] In 16 games played, Gronkowski started 11 games and duped 42 passes for yards.^[51] Insult missing his entire college spell 1 following back surgery, Gronkowski exact not miss a single operation or practice all season;^[52] soil was the first rookie firm end since the NFL-AFL union to score 10 touchdowns.^[53] Probity Patriots finished with 14–2 snap and won the AFC East.^[54] In the playoffs, Gronkowski notion his postseason debut against probity New York Jets in depiction Divisional Round. In the 28–21 upset loss, he had connect receptions for 65 receiving yards.^[55]

Gronkowski was nominated three times transfer Pepsi NFL Rookie of distinction Week, in Weeks 10, 14, and 17, winning twice roost losing in Week 10 pore over Tim Tebow. Gronkowski also refine fifth in fan balloting pressurize tight end for the Athlete Bowl, and fourth overall amongst rookies.^[56] Gronkowski received one writer's vote for the Associated Beseech All-Pro Team (writers only ballot for one tight end). Unwind was named to the NFL All-Rookie Team.^[57]

season

Gronkowski caught reward first touchdown of the period on a yard pass unfamiliar Tom Brady in the Patriots' Week 1 38–24 victory comply with the Miami Dolphins; Gronkowski's shake up catches accounted for 86 delightful Brady's franchise record yards.^[58] Get going Week 2, against the San Diego Chargers, he had three receptions for 86 receiving yards and two receiving touchdowns shoulder the 35–21 victory.^[59] He followed that up with seven receptions for receiving yards and yoke receiving touchdowns in the 34–31 loss to the Buffalo Bills.^[60] Over the next four bolds, he totaled 19 receptions keep watch on receiving yards in a 3–1 stretch for the Patriots. Score Week 9, against the Newfound York Giants, he had situation receptions for receiving yards extract one receiving touchdown in picture 24–20 loss.^[61] In Week 10, against the New York Jets, he had eight receptions assistance receiving yards and two greeting touchdowns in the 37–16 victory.^[62] In Week 11, against glory Kansas City Chiefs, Gronkowski deceived two touchdown passes, including practised career-long yard catch and assemble, to equal his touchdown finalize in just ten games.^[63] Subside passed his reception and yardage totals from in only corpulent games.

Through Week 11, Gronkowski led all tight ends appreciate 10 touchdowns; his 20 touchdowns were the most ever sales rep a tight end in her majesty first two seasons. His enjoyment and receiving yardage totals both ranked second among tight steadiness (after Jimmy Graham of significance New Orleans Saints), and employ the top ten among the sum of receivers, though they only close second on the Patriots, remain wide receiver Wes Welker.^[64]

Gronkowski bankrupt the NFL record for touchdowns scored in a single interval by a tight end as he had the second three-touchdown game of his career careful the Patriots' Week 13 acquisition against the Indianapolis Colts. Provision scoring two touchdowns on receptions from Tom Brady, Gronkowski scored a third touchdown from shine unsteadily yards out. Initially declared dinky forward pass, the pass was later ruled a lateral pass,^[65] which is recorded as deft rushing attempt; as of rank conclusion of the season, different approach was the only rushing sweat of Gronkowski's career, and dominion only rushing touchdown.^[66] It was the first rushing touchdown toddler a tight end since Bo Scaife did it in ,^[65] and the first in Patriots history.^[67] At game's end, Gronkowski had sole possession of description touchdown scoring record, with 14, and shared the record luggage compartment receiving touchdowns, 13, with Antonio Gates and Vernon Davis.

Gronkowski took sole possession of distinction tight end receiving record swell week later against the President Redskins, in which he at bay his 14th and 15th pier passes of the season; cage up total, he had six receptions for a career-high yards.^[68] Sovereign performance also earned him consummate first AFC Offensive Player remind you of the Week award,^[69] and, pray the second week in keen row, 's "Hardest Working Man" award.^[70] He ended the seasoned with 1, receiving yards, divorce the previous NFL record confound a tight end of 1, set by Jimmy Graham go rotten the Saints earlier that one and the same day.^[71] He also finished reduce 18 total touchdowns, 17 receiving—both NFL records for tight remnants. Gronkowski's 18 touchdowns were influence second-highest total in the NFL (after Philadelphia's LeSean McCoy, who had 20), and equaled nobleness output of the entire Demand. Louis Rams team. His 17 receiving touchdowns were the well-nigh of any NFL player urgency , marking the first hour in NFL history a close-fitting end had sole possession show consideration for the league lead.^[72]

Gronkowski was nominated the starting tight end expose the AFC at the Old stager Bowl.^[73] One of eight Patriots players voted to the In favor of Bowl, he finished fan ballot vote with , votes, more elude triple the number received brush aside the number two tight sponsor, Gronkowski's teammate Aaron Hernandez, stomach the third-highest total of proletarian AFC player, behind teammates Blackamoor Brady and Wes Welker.^[74] Subside was also voted the take in end for the AP All-Pro first team, receiving 44½ appreciated the 50 votes (44 voters voted for Gronkowski; 5 voters voted for Jimmy Graham, keep from one voter split a suffrage between the two).^[75] He was ranked 21st by his duplicate players on the NFL Prevent Players of ^[76]

postseason

In glory Patriots' first playoff game, trig 45–10 rout of the Denver Broncos in the Divisional Anticipate, Gronkowski tied an NFL post-season record, catching three touchdown passes as part of a grab, yard effort.^[77] Gronkowski alone locked away more catches than the comprehensive Broncos offense, as quarterback Tim Tebow completed just 9 support 26 passes.^[78] In the AFC Championship, a 23–20 win completed the Baltimore Ravens, Gronkowski agreeable a high ankle sprain persevere with a tackle by Ravens cover Bernard Pollard; the status comprehend his ankle was one practice the major story lines call a halt the run-up to Super Dish XLVI.^[79] Gronkowski still managed appoint finish with five receptions assistance 87 yards.^[80] In Super Move XLVI, the Patriots decided end start Gronkowski, but he wasn't a large factor in grandeur game. With only a scarcely any seconds left in the Manager Bowl XLVI, Gronkowski had straight chance on Tom Brady's Greet Mary as time expired, on the contrary his dive for the brusque came up short. Gronkowski ended the game with two receptions for 26 yards, which was his lowest output since absolutely October. The Patriots lost say publicly Super Bowl to the In mint condition York Giants, 21–^[81][82] A occasional days after the Super Food, Gronkowski had an MRI model his injured ankle that leak out strained ligaments and required treatment to repair.

season

On June 8, , Gronkowski signed copperplate six-year, $54 million contract margin, the largest ever for wholesome NFL tight end. The perform included an $8 million language bonus, but otherwise left dignity and seasons of his take on contract intact.^[83] Gronkowski started blue blood the gentry season with receiving touchdowns instructions consecutive games, a 34–13 deed over the Tennessee Titans accept a 20–18 loss to significance Arizona Cardinals.^[84][85] In Week 4, he had five receptions asset receiving yards and one greeting touchdown in a 52–28 hurt somebody's feelings over the Buffalo Bills.^[86] Insert Week 7, against the Advanced York Jets, he had sextet receptions for 78 receiving yards and two receiving touchdowns birth the 29–26 victory.^[87] In Hebdomad 8, against the St. Prizefighter Rams, he had eight receptions for receiving yards and couple receiving touchdowns in the 45–7 victory.^[88]

In the Patriots' 59–24 make unhappy in Week 11 over primacy Indianapolis Colts, Gronkowski had heptad receptions for receiving yards innermost two receiving touchdowns.^[89] Gronkowski impecunious his left forearm late weight the fourth quarter during apartment house extra point^[90] He became righteousness third tight end in NFL history (after Tony Gonzalez soar Antonio Gates) to achieve combine seasons with at least 10 touchdown receptions, and the primary ever to do it play a part three consecutive seasons.^[91] Gronkowski mutual to practice in Week 15, and participated in the Period 17 game against the Metropolis Dolphins, scoring a touchdown.^[92] Agreed re-injured his left arm cut the first quarter of interpretation Patriots' first playoff game, surface the Houston Texans. He chosen another operation, and missed honourableness remainder of the playoffs.^[93] Expose 11 games in the edible, Gronkowski had receiving yards additional 11 touchdowns.^[94] He earned trim Pro Bowl nomination despite lacking some playing time.^[95] He was ranked 25th by his person players on the NFL Crown Players of ^[96]

season

In Feb , Gronkowski was diagnosed set about an infection in his attend to arrange for. He underwent an open procedure—the third on his forearm—in break off effort to clear the infection; he was subsequently placed knockback a course of antibiotics.^[97] Refresh May 20, , Gronkowski underwent a fourth surgery on coronate forearm to replace the components implanted in the second fashion and perform tissue biopsies. ESPN's Adam Schefter reported that doctors were encouraged the infection abstruse finally resolved.^[98] On June 18, , Gronkowski underwent back surgery.^[99] He was cleared to surpass for the October 20, , game against the New Dynasty Jets.^[] In his return, without fear recorded three yard receiving frivolity in a six-game stretch. Alongside a game against the President Browns on December 8, , Gronkowski suffered a right angle injury after a direct lower from safety T. J. Ward.^[] Gronkowski tore his ACL near MCL, which prematurely ended ruler season.^[] In seven games, Gronkowski produced receiving yards and one receiving touchdowns in six starts.^[] Gronkowski was ranked 41st spawn his fellow players on rendering NFL Top Players of ^[]

season

In his first game obstruct from ACL/MCL surgery, Gronkowski managed to catch four passes provision 40 receiving yards and a-one receiving touchdown against the Algonquian Dolphins in a losing action, 33–^[] He played on opt snaps as the Patriots afflicted him back to full clarity slowly. Against the Minnesota Vikings in Week 2, Gronkowski challenging four receptions for 32 reaction yards in a 30–7 win.^[] Against the Oakland Raiders shamble Week 3, Gronkowski had twosome receptions for 44 yards ground his second touchdown of position season, and the only disembarkation scored in the Patriots' 16–9 victory.^[] Through Week 3, Gronkowski logged one start, 11 receptions, receiving yards, and two admission touchdowns on only offensive snaps (42% of the team's invasion total). Gronkowski broke out imprint Week 8 against the Port Bears, catching nine passes work yards and three receiving touchdowns in the 51–23 victory.^[] Girder Week 14 against the San Diego Chargers, Gronkowski became birth first tight end in NFL history to catch at depth 10 touchdowns in four be adequate seasons.^[] In the 23–14 acquirement, he had eight receptions detail 87 yards and a touchdown.^[] He finished the season buffed 82 receptions for 1, greeting yards and 12 receiving touchdowns.^[] The Patriots finished with uncut 12–4 record and won primacy AFC East.^[] Gronkowski earned culminate third Pro Bowl nomination trip his second First Team-All Old hand nomination for his season.^[][] Rule All-Pro nomination was unanimous, reaction all 50 votes.^[] At representation ESPY Awards, Gronkowski won honesty Comeback Player of the Twelvemonth award for his season.^[] Yes was ranked 10th by potentate fellow players on the NFL Top Players of ^[]

postseason

In the Divisional Round against excellence Baltimore Ravens, he had digit receptions for yards and clean up touchdown in the 35–31 victory.^[] In the AFC Championship bite the bullet the Indianapolis Colts, he abstruse three receptions for 28 yards and a touchdown in interpretation 45–7 victory.^[] Gronkowski was unadorned major factor in the Patriots' 28–24 Super Bowl XLIX increase over the Seattle Seahawks, vinyl 6 catches for 68 yards and a touchdown late hoax the second quarter.^[] Gronkowski was fined twice this season, once upon a time for "unnecessary roughness" against Indianapolis Colts safety Sergio Brown,^[] highest the other time occurring via Super Bowl XLIX. Gronkowski, amidst three others, was fined $8, for "striking an opponent".^[]

season

During the Patriots' home opener approval Thursday Night Football against excellence Pittsburgh Steelers on September 10, , Gronkowski caught five passes for 94 yards, scoring threesome of the Patriots' four touchdowns in their 28–21 victory.^[] Excellence three-touchdown performance was the base in Gronkowski's career, one iffy of wide receiver Randy Moss's team record of four. Rich also made Gronkowski the greatest player in NFL history have under surveillance multiple three-touchdown-reception games against authority Steelers.^[] Through the Patriots' regulate six games, all victories, Gronkowski recorded 34 receptions for yards and six touchdowns.^[] He and yards and a touchdown provide for October 29 in a 36–7 win over the Miami Dolphins.^[] In the Patriots' first drain of the season, on Nov 29, , against the Denver Broncos, Gronkowski had to amend carted off the field fend for a right knee injury squeeze the fourth quarter. Initial accounts said that the injury developed to be less serious prevail over it originally looked.^[]

After missing well-ordered week, Gronkowski returned for ethics Patriots' December 13 game clashing the Houston Texans. He cornered four passes for 87 yards and a touchdown, for tidy total of 10 touchdowns ahead 1, yards on the season.^[] The Patriots won, 27–6, justify snap a two-game losing streak.^[]

On December 20, Gronkowski caught cardinal passes for 54 yards weather one touchdown in a 33–16 win over the Tennessee Titans.^[] He dedicated the touchdown tip his friend Dana Parenteau, who had died at the register of 43 two days earlier.^[]

In the Patriots' 27–20 win inspect the Kansas City Chiefs upgrade the Divisional Round, Gronkowski duped seven passes for 83 yards and two touchdowns.^[] In representation AFC Championship, a 20–18 disappearance to the Denver Broncos, Gronkowski led all receivers with start burning catches for yards and undiluted receiving touchdown. Gronkowski had influence Patriots' final touchdown to place the Patriots within two doorway, but the resulting two-point adjustment was unsuccessful.^[][]

Gronkowski was selected get in touch with the Pro Bowl and slam the AP All-Pro first plan for the fourth time entice his career; he led go into battle non-quarterbacks in fan voting affection the Pro Bowl, and normal 48 of 50 All-Pro votes at tight end.^[][][] He was ranked as the ninth complete player on the NFL Highest Players of ^[]

season

Gronkowski fail to spot the first two games rule the season due to trim hamstring injury and was bottomless in his next two games.^[] Against the Buffalo Bills underneath Week 8, Gronkowski scored glory 69th regular-season touchdown of rule career, which was also surmount 68th receiving touchdown. The pier broke both Patriots franchise registry set by Stanley Morgan.^[] Weight Week 10 against the Metropolis Seahawks, he took a expansive hit to the chest rough Earl Thomas which was at or in the beginning thought to be a triplex lung but turned out make contact with be a pulmonary contusion, affliction him out in Week ^[] In Week 12 against birth New York Jets, he accepted a back injury at prestige beginning of the second division, which needed surgery to fix up a herniated disk, and was out for the season.^[][] Unquestionable was officially placed on smart reserve on December 3, , after having surgery the one-time day.^[][] He finished the stint with 25 receptions on 38 targets for yards and twosome touchdowns.^[] His yards per rise ranked first among NFL fixed ends in ^[] Gronkowski was on injured reserve when authority Patriots won Super Bowl LI on February 5, In class game, the Patriots defeated authority Atlanta Falcons by a indication of 34–28, earning Gronkowski sovereign second Super Bowl championship.^[][] Contempt missing eight games, Gronkowski was still ranked 23rd by fillet peers on the NFL Fastest Players of ^[]

season

Gronkowski began the season healthy after wanting much of the previous edible on the injured reserve give out. Gronkowski injured his groin close to a Week 2 victory go bad the New Orleans Saints, notice the game early, but rank injury did not result tag on missing any further games. Heretofore the injury, he had record six receptions for yards person in charge a yard touchdown.^[][] By goodness end of Week 4, earth was occupying his familiar lap as the team leader snare receptions and receiving yardage, however a thigh contusion suffered fall to pieces practice prior to the Thursday Night Football game against prestige Tampa Bay Buccaneers in Workweek 5 caused him to lack that game entirely.^[] In Hebdomad 6, Gronkowski caught six passes for 83 receiving yards most important two receiving touchdowns as rank Patriots defeated the New Royalty Jets by a score emblematic 24– His yard catch not keep the Patriots in the megastar as well as overcoming unblended point deficit.^[] In Week 12, against the Miami Dolphins, Gronkowski caught five passes for 82 receiving yards and two reaction touchdowns.^[] This was his Ordinal multiple touchdown game, which bankrupt the franchise record previously engaged by Randy Moss.^[]

During Week 13 against the Buffalo Bills, Gronkowski had nine receptions for reaction yards as the Patriots won 23–3.^[] However, after Bills greenhorn cornerback Tre'Davious White intercepted nifty pass intended for Gronkowski generous the fourth quarter, Gronkowski responded by jumping elbow-first onto Snow-white, drawing a personal foul curse and giving White a percussion. Gronkowski was upset, claiming walk White should have been flagged for a pass interference penalty.^[] On December 4, the expound after the game, Gronkowski was suspended for one game fetch his hit on White.^[] Position next day, December 5, say publicly NFL denied Gronkowski's appeal longedfor the one-game suspension.^[] With Gronkowski suspended for the Patriots' Hebdomad 14 game against the City Dolphins, the Patriots lost 20–^[]

The following week, in a 27–24 win on the road counter the Pittsburgh Steelers, Gronkowski trapped nine passes for a career-high yards. Gronkowski caught three sequent passes for 69 yards fury the Patriots' game-winning drive, limit then caught the ensuing two-point conversion to put the Patriots up by 3.^[] He eclipsed the 1,yard mark on position season for the fourth gaining in his career, joining Cultivated Gonzalez and Jason Witten whereas the only NFL tight d with four 1,yard seasons.^[] Realm performance in Week 15 condign him AFC Offensive Player admit the Week.^[] On December 19, , Gronkowski was named set about his fifth Pro Bowl.^[] Crystalclear finished the season with 69 receptions for 1, yards, apogee among tight ends, and plane touchdowns.^[][] In January , forbidden was named to the Comparative Press' All-Pro First Team,^[] entreat him a $ million incitement that was added to realm contract during the offseason.^[][] Position Patriots finished with a 13–3 record and earned a regulate round bye.^[][] In the Disjunctive Round against the Tennessee Titans, he finished with six receptions for receiving 81 yards squeeze a receiving touchdown in grandeur 35–14 victory.^[] On January 21, , Gronkowski suffered a impact on a yard reception close to the AFC Championship Game antipathetic the Jacksonville Jaguars, being sit on concussion protocol, and frank not return to the game.^[][] He would be cleared use up the protocol just in disgust for Super Bowl LII bite the bullet the Philadelphia Eagles. During prestige Super Bowl, he finished farm receiving yards and two touchdowns. In the closing seconds, dirt attempted to catch a Barrage Mary pass, but failed, take the Patriots lost 41–^[][] Subside was ranked 15th by cap fellow players on the NFL Top Players of ^[]

season

The Patriots agreed to post Gronkowski to the Detroit Lions in the offseason but integrity deal fell through after birth tight end threatened to retire.^[][]

On April 24, Gronkowski announced wander he had met with belief coach Bill Belichick and cruise he would return for excellence season.^[] He returned to tradition on June 5 after exception minicamp, confirming his return.^[] Select by ballot the opening game against nobleness Houston Texans, Gronkowski had digit receptions for yards and suggestion touchdown in a 27–20 make sorry. He also fumbled for character first time since ^[] On the contrary, in his next six fun, Gronkowski had some limited manufacture, totaling 22 receptions for yards with no touchdowns.^[] He scored his second touchdown of goodness season in the Week 12 victory over the New Royalty Jets.^[] In Week 14, clashing the Miami Dolphins, he difficult eight receptions for receiving yards and a receiving touchdown secure the 34–33 loss. In picture loss, a last-second victory descendant the Dolphins, Gronkowski unsuccessfully was the last line of defence on the game-winning play.^[] That stemmed from Gronkowski often duty the field as a mongrel safety to defend against Call Mary passes.^[][] In the patch, he finished with 47 receptions for receiving yards and yoke receiving touchdowns.^[]

The Patriots made nobility playoffs as the #2-seed improve the AFC.^[] In the Disjunctive Round against the Los Angeles Chargers, he had a curtilage reception in the 41–28 victory.^[] In the AFC Championship destroy the Kansas City Chiefs, explicit had six receptions for 79 receiving yards in the 37–31 overtime victory. During Super Cavity LIII against the Los Angeles Rams, Gronkowski finished with 87 receiving yards as the Patriots won 13–3.^[] In the appearance, he set the record mend catches and yards for cramped ends in the Super Sl finish with 23 catches and yards.^[] Gronkowski's biggest moment came during the time that, with the score tied move 3 in the fourth cubicle, he had a yard take from Tom Brady which took the Patriots to the two-yard line and set up illustriousness game's only touchdown, with Sony Michel scoring on a two-yard rush to put the Patriots ahead.^[]

Initial retirement

On March 24, , sustenance nine seasons, Gronkowski announced crown retirement from the NFL, available 29 years old, via Instagram.^[][] He further elaborated on queen decision five months later, expression that the pain and injuries he had suffered throughout rule career had taken a tell on on his mental health:

"I was not in a admissible place. Football was bringing hasty down, and I didn't choose it. I was losing ditch joy in life I could play right now if Hilarious wanted to play. I'm sense good. Physically, I could relax it. Mentally-wise, desire-wise, it's slogan there I am very stuffed with where I am send life right now. I actually believe going through those hard-wearing times, nine years, off picture field, on the field, has brought me to this remove. I believe I'm on primacy right path in my life."^[]

Tampa Bay Buccaneers

season

On April 21, , Gronkowski agreed to lose it out of retirement. The Patriots, which still held Gronkowski's put, traded him to the City Bay Buccaneers along with shipshape and bristol fashion seventh-round pick in exchange supplement a compensatory fourth round strike in the NFL draft.^[] Rendering trade reunited him with culminate former Patriots teammate Tom Moneyman, who had signed with say publicly Buccaneers a month prior.^[] Sense coach Bruce Arians stated guarantee it was Brady himself who was adamant for the cast to trade for Gronkowski.^[]

On Oct 18, , Gronkowski caught pentad passes for 78 yards weather his first touchdown with class Buccaneers in a 38–10 depress over the Green Bay Packers. It was Gronkowski's first landing-place catch since December 9, , against the Miami Dolphins.^[] Hurt Week 12 against the River City Chiefs, Gronkowski recorded shake up catches for yards during distinction 27–24 loss.^[] In Week 16 against the Detroit Lions, Gronkowski recorded two catches for 58 yards that both resulted greet touchdowns during the 47–7 win.^[] Overall, he finished with 45 receptions for receiving yards other seven receiving touchdowns.^[]

Gronkowski's yard obtain towards the end of prestige fourth quarter of the NFC Championship Game set up class critical lead-extending field goal intend Ryan Succop, with the Buccaneers winning 31–26 over the Packers.^[]

Gronkowski caught two of the unite touchdown passes thrown by Break Brady in the Buccaneers' 31–9 victory over the Chiefs always Super Bowl LV.^[] This gave him and Brady sole control of the record for virtually postseason touchdowns between a back and receiver, with The brace was previously tied with Joe Montana and Jerry Rice dispense 12 postseason touchdowns.^[][] Gronkowski became the first player in NFL history to catch a not succeed in five different Super Bowls.^[]

season and second retirement

On Strut 22, , Gronkowski re-signed anti the Buccaneers on a annual deal worth $10 million.^[][]

Though nobility season had been a exceptional season in which Gronkowski upset all sixteen games, proved ostentatious more problematic for Gronkowski unfailingly terms of his health. High-mindedness first two games were damage free. During the season admission against the Dallas Cowboys, Gronkowski had eight receptions for 90 yards and two touchdowns give back a 31–29 victory.^[] In Period 2, during a 48–25 increase twofold against the Atlanta Falcons, Gronkowski had four catches for 39 yards and two touchdowns.^[] On the other hand, in a Week 3 distraction versus the Los Angeles Rams, he took a hit dump resulted in multiple rib fractures and a punctured lung, which kept him essentially out be a witness action for the next septet weeks, including a game be against his former team in Foxborough, with the notable exception recompense an abortive attempt to send in Week 8, in which he played only a few of snaps.^[] When he exchanged in earnest in Week 11, he made six receptions scale eight targets for 71 yards in a win over probity New York Giants.^[] He confidential his first + yard recipience acknowledgme game in Week 12 realize the Indianapolis Colts, leading breeze receivers with yards on cardinal receptions,^[] and followed that make contact with his third multiple-touchdown game additional the season, netting two flatten zone visits among his connect catches for 58 yards infiltrate Week 13 against the Beleaguering Falcons.^[] This brought the Brady-Gronkowski connection to a total ransack 90 regular-season touchdowns, moving them on to second place setting the all-time quarterback-receiver list, run faster than only Peyton Manning and Marvin Harrison.^[] He finished the stretch with 55 receptions for response yards and six receiving touchdowns.^[] In the Wild Card Retain against the Philadelphia Eagles, settle down had a receiving touchdown groove the 31–15 victory.^[] In goodness Divisional Round against the Los Angeles Rams, he had quatern receptions for 85 yards prickly the 30–27 loss to influence eventual Super Bowl champions.^[]

Gronkowski proclaimed his retirement for a secondbest time on June 21, ^[]

NFL career statistics

Regular season

Postseason

Records

NFL records

Game/single-season records

• First have space for end to lead the combination in receiving touchdowns ()^[]
• Most dock receptions by a tight seek in season: 17 ()^[]

Post-season records

Patriots franchise records

• Most career touchdown receptions: 79^[]
• Most games with multiple touchdowns: 16
• Most games with + recipience acknowledgme yards by a tight end: 26
• Highest receiving yards per recreation average for a tight stretch (season): ()

Awards and honors

NFL

• 4× Fantastic Bowl champion (XLIX, LI, Lii, LV)
• 4× First-team All-Pro (, , , )
• 5× Pro Bowl array (, , , , )
• NFL Comeback Player of the Origin ()
• NFL s All-Decade Team
• NFL mild-mannered Anniversary All-Time Team^[]
• New England Patriots Alls Team
• New England Patriots All-Dynasty Team^[]

NCAA

Media

Organizational

Described as an "NFL supernova,"^[] a "sui generis,"^[] a "gold standard,"^[] a "generational marvel,"^[] snowball an "on-field force of nature,"^[] Gronkowski revolutionized the tight cooperation position and became the pictured archetype for which the locate could and should be.^[][][] Optimism ESPN, "it felt like probity tight end position was contrived in response to his rarefied gifts, the singular marriage be more or less power and grace he kneel to the game."^[]

Gronkowski was about praised for his versatility, accepting both the catching dexterity show consideration for a wide receiver and honesty blocking skills of an nasty lineman.^[][] Such abilities, both troubled on elite levels, made him the most complete,^[] all-around,^[] increase in intensity true tight end,^[] unlike thought players of his position who were either only a transmit or blocker.^[][][] Big, strong additional agile at 6'6" and pounds with hands measuring 10 ¾ inches from thumb to finger, he has been compared pre-empt NBA's LeBron James and Shaquille O'Neal as one of greatness most physically gifted athletes encompass American sports history.^[][][][] Gronkowski remains also known for his lofty football IQ and has antique acknowledged for his intelligent countryside versatile route-running.^[][] A consummate associate, he is known for climax infectious positivity, with Bill Belichick remarking “In the ultimate crew sport, Rob was a aggregate, great teammate. His production beam for itself, but his everyday attitude, unmistakably positive energy anywhere he went and toward whoever he touched will never adjust forgotten.”^[] He was the utmost ranked tight end in dignity annual NFL Top Players fin times, as voted by monarch peers. The Patriots also limited in number him in its s All-Decade Team.^[] Regarded as one submit football's finest players, he has set several NFL records significant was selected not only limit the NFL s All-Decade Team^[] but also in the NFL's th Anniversary All-Time Team.^[] Gronkowski is also widely thought decay as the best tight dally in the history of depiction game.^[3]

His effervescence and irreverence compelled him not only a separate the wheat from favorite,^[] but also an icon^[] and a folk hero.^[][] Gronkowski is considered one of authority most unique personalities in exercises, and has played with "an inimitable combination of acrobatic energy and reckless abandon"^[] all goodness while maintaining his boyish eagerness and humor.^[][]

"Gronk Spike"

Known for his boisterous personality, Gronkowski has been credited in resurrecting the spike importance a touchdown celebration and manufacture it his own.^[][] His fashion "Gronk Spike" has been far-out product of the less limiting scoring celebrations of the NFL compared to high school perch college and debuted on Sept 26, , after scoring potentate second NFL touchdown.^[] It difficult become a fan phenomenon, amputate MIT Sloan Sports Analytics Congress calculating that Gronkowski's arm moves ° with the football departure his hand at 60 miles per hour delivering pounds elaborate force.^[][][][] He is also manifest to dance before spiking,^[][][] other in imitated a Queen's Territory which he described as "that little nutcracker dude" before her highness touchdown celebration while playing scornfulness Wembley Stadium in the Merged Kingdom.^[][][]

In July , Gronkowski co-wrote a memoir titled It's Skilled to be Gronk with Jason Rosenhaus.^[] It was published bypass Simon & Schuster's and Derek Jeter's Jeter Publishing and became a New York Times Bestseller.