Chris Gronkowski

Christopher Michael Gronkowski (born December 26, 1986) is an American former football fullback. He went undrafted in the 2010 NFL Draft after playing college football at the University of Arizona. He eventually signed with the National Football League’s Dallas Cowboys, Denver Broncos and Indianapolis Colts throughout his short-lived career.

Chris Gronkowski
Gronkowski with the Broncos in 2012
No. 44, 49
Position:Fullback
Personal information
Born: (1986-12-26) December 26, 1986
Buffalo, New York
Height:6 ft 2 in (1.88 m)
Weight:245 lb (111 kg)
Career information
High school:Williamsville (NY) North
College:Arizona
Undrafted:2010
Career history
 * Offseason and/or practice squad member only
Career highlights and awards
Career NFL statistics
Games played:35
Rushing yards:17
Rushing average:3.4
Rushing touchdowns:0
Receptions:8
Receiving yards:46
Receiving touchdowns:1
Player stats at NFL.com
Player stats at PFR

He is most known for missing a blitz pickup on a Monday Night Football game against the New York Giants in 2010 resulting to a linebacker running straight to quarterback Tony Romo. Romo suffered a fractured left clavicle which ended his season.[1]

Early years

Gronkowski was born on December 26, 1986 in Buffalo, New York to Diane Walters and Gordon Gronkowski, who played three years as an offensive guard at Syracuse.[2] His great-grandfather, Ignatius, was a member of the 1924 U.S. Olympic cycling team in Paris.[3] His brothers Dan, Rob and Glenn were also in the NFL.[4]

Football

College football

Gronkowski accepted a football scholarship from the University of Maryland, with the intention of being played at fullback. He was redshirted in 2005.

In January 2007, he transferred to the University of Arizona.[5] As a sophomore, he played linebacker but did not record any stat.

As a fourth year junior in 2008, he started 7 games, while making 8 receptions for 198 yards, 3 touchdowns and a team leading 24.8-yard per reception average. He served primarily as a backfield blocking specialist from the H-back position. He was named second-team Academic All-Pac-10.

As a fifth year senior in 2009, he started 7 out of 13 games, tallying 4 catches for 20 yards and 2 carries for one yard. He was named honorable-mention Academic All-Pac-10.

He finished his college career after starting 15 out of 26 games, collecting 12 receptions for 218 yards (18.2-yard avg.), 2 carries for one yard and 3 receiving touchdowns.

Professional football

Pre-Draft
Pre-draft measurables
Height Weight 40-yard dash 10-yard split 20-yard split 20-yard shuttle Three-cone drill Vertical jump Broad jump Bench press Wonderlic
6 ft 2 in
(1.88 m)		 238 lb
(108 kg)		 4.71 s 1.64 s 2.73 s 4.37 s 7.16 s 34 1⁄2 in
(0.88 m)		 10 ft 3 in
(3.12 m)		 24 reps N/A
All values from 2010 Arizona Pro Day

[6]

Dallas Cowboys

Gronkowski did not attend the NFL Scouting Combine, though his brother Rob did. He declared for the 2010 NFL Draft and was projected as high as the 4th round, but went undrafted. On April 25, he signed with the Dallas Cowboys.[7] On September 4, he made the 53 man roster for insurance purposes in case fullback Deon Anderson injuries persisted.[8] He made his first career start on September 19, against the Chicago Bears.[9] His first career touchdown catch came in the same game on a one-yard pass from Tony Romo. He became the full-time starter at fullback after Anderson was released on September 24.

On October 25, in a Monday Night Football game against the New York Giants, Gronkowski missed a blitz pickup on linebacker Michael Boley, as he ran straight to quarterback Tony Romo and hit him high. Romo got the pass off to Miles Austin, but he suffered a fractured left clavicle, which ended his season.[1] Gronkowski was active for 14 of the 16 games and started 7 times as a rookie. He was inconsistent as a lead blocker, while posting 5 carries for 17 yards, 7 receptions for 35 yards and one touchdown. He was waived on September 3, 2011.[10]

Indianapolis Colts

On September 4, 2011, Gronkowski was claimed off waivers by the Indianapolis Colts. On October 25, he was placed on the injured reserve list with a pectoral injury.[11]

Denver Broncos

On May 23, 2012, Gronkowski was traded to the Denver Broncos in exchange for cornerback Cassius Vaughn.[12] He appeared in 14 games as a backup, making one reception for 11 yards and had no rushing attempts. He wasn't re-signed after the season.[13]

San Diego Chargers

On April 23, 2013, Gronkowski signed with the San Diego Chargers as a free agent.[14] On August 27, he was placed on the injured reserve list with an ankle injury.[15] On August 31, he was waived with an injury settlement.

Personal life

In July 2015, Gronkowski married Brittany Bieber.[16] They have three sons.[17]

After being waived by the San Diego Chargers, he founded a company that makes kitchen-grade stainless steel insulated bottles in 2017. Gronkowski pitched the business with the help of his brothers on an episode of Shark Tank. He made a deal with Mark Cuban and guest shark Alex Rodriguez for $150,000 in exchange for 15% equity.[18]

References
  1. "Cowboys bench FB Chris Gronkowski". ESPN. October 31, 2015. Retrieved June 14, 2020.
  2. "Player Bio: Chris Gronkowski". Archived from the original on June 27, 2010. Retrieved June 19, 2010.
  3. "Rob Gronkowski". Archived from the original on November 9, 2016. Retrieved August 16, 2010.
  4. Walker, Monique. "Dan Gronkowski to join the Patriots". The Boston Globe. Retrieved September 6, 2011.
  5. "The other Gronkowski pleasant surprise for UA". October 3, 2008. Retrieved June 14, 2020.
  6. "Chris Gronkowski Pro Day". NFLdraftscout.com.
  7. "Cowboys sign undrafted free agents". ESPN.com. April 25, 2010. Retrieved June 14, 2020.
  8. "Cowboys going with two fullbacks". ESPN. September 7, 2010. Retrieved June 14, 2020.
  9. "Chris Gronkowski makes team". ESPN. September 16, 2010. Retrieved June 14, 2020.
  10. "Cowboys cut FB Chris Gronkowski". ESPN.com. September 3, 2011. Retrieved June 14, 2020.
  11. "Kerry Collins lands on injured reserve". ESPN. October 25, 2013. Retrieved June 14, 2020.
  12. "Broncos deal for Chris Gronkowski". ESPN. May 23, 2012. Retrieved June 14, 2020.
  13. "Chris Gronkowski let got by Broncos". ESPN. March 8, 2013. Retrieved June 14, 2020.
  14. "Chargers sign Gronkowski". Archived from the original on April 22, 2018. Retrieved September 12, 2016.
  15. "Chargers cut down to 75". ESPN. August 27, 2013. Retrieved June 14, 2020.
  16. Yan, Renee (December 17, 2018). "Everything Decorated in Colleyville creates gifts with meaning". Community Impact Newspaper. Retrieved February 28, 2019.
  17. Montag, Ali (September 26, 2018). "Ex-NFL player, Ice Shaker founder Chris Gronkowski's morning routine". www.cnbc.com. Retrieved February 28, 2019.
  18. "Gronkowski brothers land 'Shark Tank' investments from Alex Rodriguez, Mark Cuban". Sporting News. October 16, 2017. Retrieved October 16, 2017.
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