[180] In Week 14, against the Miami Dolphins, he had eight receptions for 107 receiving yards and a receiving touchdown in the 34–33 loss. Last season, it was tight end George Kittle and the San Francisco 49ers that were representing the NFC in the Super Bowl. [135] In Week 12 against the New York Jets, he suffered a back injury at the beginning of the second half, which needed surgery to repair a herniated disk, and was out for the season. [149] This was his 16th multiple touchdown game, which broke the franchise record previously held by Randy Moss. [42], In a Week 10 victory over the Pittsburgh Steelers, Gronkowski caught three touchdown passes from Brady, becoming the first rookie in Patriots history, and the youngest rookie in NFL history to accomplish the feat. He was named a SuperPrep All-American, PrepStar All-American, Associated Press Class 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. He also has the most career postseason receiving yards by a tight end (1,163) – the only tight end in NFL history to reach 1,000 or more yards in the playoffs. During Super Bowl LIII against the Los Angeles Rams, Gronkowski finished with 87 receiving yards as the Patriots won 13–3. [199] This gave him and Brady sole possession of the record for most postseason touchdowns between a quarterback and receiver, with 14.[200][201]. [95] On June 18, 2013, Gronkowski underwent back surgery. As we mentioned above, Gronkowski is headed for free agency. Rob Gronkowski became a 4-Time Super Bowl Champion on Sunday when he caught two touchdown passes from Tom Brady (2 of Tom’s 3 TD passes) en route to the Buccaneers’ second-ever championship. In the Divisional Round against the Los Angeles Chargers, he had a 25-yard reception in the 41–28 victory. [321] He also serves as team captain in the sports-based comedy panel game Game On! [17], Gronkowski missed the first three games of the 2008 season, but later recorded 47 receptions for 672 yards and a team-best ten touchdowns. He’s aggressive. [337] They first met at a Patriots charity event on Thanksgiving 2013. [150], During Week 13 against the Buffalo Bills, Gronkowski had nine receptions for 147 receiving yards as the Patriots won 23–3. Most single-season record for receiving yards by a tight end: 1,327 (2011; broken in 2018 by, 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), Career statistics and player information from, This page was last edited on 19 February 2021, at 16:01. [57] Over the next four games, he totaled 19 receptions for 214 receiving yards in a 3–1 stretch for the Patriots. I think as we saw there, in New York, he’s kind of a fun loving guy who enjoys having a good time, but he plays like that, too. [181] This stemmed from Gronkowski often taking the field as a hybrid safety to defend against Hail Mary passes. After scoring two touchdowns on receptions from Tom Brady, Gronkowski scored a third touchdown from two yards out. Jets", "New England Patriots at Miami Dolphins - September 7th, 2014", "New England Patriots at Minnesota Vikings - September 14th, 2014", "Oakland Raiders at New England Patriots - September 21st, 2014", "Chicago Bears at New England Patriots - October 26th, 2014", "Rob Gronkowski Becomes First Tight End With 10 TDs In Four Separate Seasons", "New England Patriots at San Diego Chargers - December 7th, 2014", "2014 New England Patriots Statistics & Players", "Watt, Gronkowski are unanimous AP All-Pros", "Rob Gronkowski Wins Comeback Player Of The Year ESPY", "Divisional Round - Baltimore Ravens at New England Patriots - January 10th, 2015", "AFC Championship - Indianapolis Colts at New England Patriots - January 18th, 2015", "Tom Brady and Rob Gronkowski Roll Into the Record Books", "Rob Gronkowski fined $8,268 for bouncer move", "Gronkowski, Patriots put on familiar show in 28-21 victory over Steelers", "Rob Gronkowski unstoppable against Steelers", "Rob Gronkowski - New England Patriots - National Football League - Yahoo! "[247][263] During an on-air interview with ESPN Deportes after an AFC Championship win in 2012 he responded in Spanish answering, "¡Yo soy fiesta!" The Chiefs forced a Buccaneers drive to stall, and the Buccaneers kicked an apparent 40-yard field goal. Rob Gronkowski is a First-Ballot Hall of Famer and the GOAT Tight End. In the 28–21 upset loss, he had four receptions for 65 receiving yards. [101], In his first game back from ACL/MCL surgery, Gronkowski managed to catch four passes for 40 receiving yards and a receiving touchdown against the Miami Dolphins in a losing effort, 33–20. ", "I said it from the beginning that I wouldn’t come back to the game unless I’m feeling it, feeling healthy, and feeling ready to play. Gronkowski was drafted by the New England Patriots in the second round with the 42nd overall pick in the 2010 NFL Draft, after a draft day trade with the Oakland Raiders; in pre-draft evaluations revealed in May 2016, Raiders scouts had rated Gronkowski as the "best all-around player in the draft". [77] In Super Bowl XLVI, the Patriots decided to start Gronkowski, but he wasn't a large factor in the game. [195] 1 month ago Tampa Bay Buccaneers tight end Rob Gronkowski caught one of five targets for 14 receiving yards in a 30-20 win over New Orleans. [172][173], The Patriots agreed to trade Gronkowski to the Detroit Lions in the offseason but the deal fell through after the tight end vetoed it. [127], In the Patriots' 27–20 win over the Kansas City Chiefs in the Divisional Round, Gronkowski caught seven passes for 83 yards and two touchdowns. [6] His four brothers – Gordie, Dan, Chris and Glenn – all played collegiate sports, and later played professionally. [80] Gronkowski started the season with receiving touchdowns in consecutive games, a 34–13 victory over the Tennessee Titans and a 20–18 loss to the Arizona Cardinals. [159] He finished the 2017 season with 69 receptions for 1,084 yards, most among tight ends, and eight touchdowns. Tom Brady found Rob Gronkowski for an eight-yard touchdown pass late in the first quarter, giving Tampa Bay a 7–3 lead. [136][137] He was officially placed on injured reserve on December 3, 2016, after having surgery the previous day. ", "Jamal Adams: An absolute honor to line up and compete against the greatest Tight End ever! I’m feeling good. ", "What makes Rob Gronkowski the NFL's best offensive player | PFF News & Analysis | Pro Football Focus", "Rob Gronkowski worthy of first-ballot entry to Pro Football Hall of Fame", "Rob Gronkowski played the goofball but few can doubt his greatness", "Brian Baldinger: "Gronk Defined What A True Tight End Is" Ben And Woods - Interviews podcast", "Patriots Rob Gronkowski has been the most dominant TE in the NFL for a decade there isn't a close #2. Nothing else", "Rob Gronkowski not returning in 'foreseeable future, "Rob Gronkowski Just Scored His First GQ Cover! [165][166] In the Divisional Round against the Tennessee Titans, he finished with six receptions for receiving 81 yards and a receiving touchdown in the 35–14 victory. [322], Gronkowski set up the Gronk Nation Youth Foundation which is dedicated to "help kids stay actively involved in school and sports and provide them with the tools needed to help them follow their dreams and live a happy and more successful life". [145][146] By the end of Week 4, he was occupying his familiar role as the team leader in receptions and receiving yardage, but a thigh contusion suffered in practice prior to the Thursday Night Football game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in Week 5 caused him to miss that game entirely. [123] In the Patriots' first loss of the season, on November 29, 2015, against the Denver Broncos, Gronkowski had to be carted off the field after a right knee injury in the fourth quarter. I had everything as a kid, from playgrounds to sports, and a lot of people to play with, and thus everything I needed to be successful later as an athlete.”[325], Aside from his own foundation, Gronkowski has also regularly helped the Make-A-Wish Foundation and the Patriots Foundation. Why the Patriots star's decision wasn't easy", "Tom Brady sees all! [22][23] As a freshman in 2007, he recorded 28 receptions for 525 yards and six touchdowns. A lifelong wrestling fan, Gronkowski first made a cameo appearance during the André the Giant Memorial Battle Royal at WrestleMania 33 in 2017. INT 12. [220][221][222] For ESPN, "it felt like the tight end position was invented in response to his rare gifts, the singular marriage of power and grace he brought to the game. [154] With Gronkowski suspended for the Patriots' Week 14 game against the Miami Dolphins, the Patriots lost 20–27. [100] Gronkowski was ranked 41st by his fellow players on the NFL Top 100 Players of 2014. Latest on Tampa Bay Buccaneers tight end Rob Gronkowski including news, stats, videos, highlights and more on ESPN [133] Against the Buffalo Bills in Week 8, Gronkowski scored the 69th regular-season touchdown of his career, which was also his 68th receiving touchdown.