Chris Gronkowski

Player

Birthday December 26, 1986

Birth Sign Capricorn

Birthplace Buffalo, New York, U.S.

Age 37 years old

Nationality United States

Height 1.88 m

#51466 Most Popular

1924

His great-grandfather, Ignatius, was a member of the 1924 U.S. Olympic cycling team in Paris.

His brothers Dan, Rob and Glenn were also in the NFL.

Gronkowski accepted a football scholarship from the University of Maryland, with the intention of being played at fullback.

1986

Christopher Michael Gronkowski (born December 26, 1986) is a former American football fullback.

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.

2005

He was redshirted in 2005.

2007

In January 2007, he transferred to the University of Arizona.

As a sophomore, he played linebacker but did not record any stat.

2008

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.

2009

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.

Gronkowski did not attend the NFL Scouting Combine, though his brother Rob did.

2010

After playing college football at the University of Arizona, he was signed by the Dallas Cowboys in 2010, Indianapolis Colts in 2011, and the Denver Broncos in 2012.

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.

On September 4, he made the 53 man roster for insurance purposes in case fullback Deon Anderson's injuries persisted.

He made his first career start on September 19, against the Chicago Bears.

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.

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.

2011

He was waived on September 3, 2011.

On September 4, 2011, Gronkowski was claimed off waivers by the Indianapolis Colts.

On October 25, he was placed on the injured reserve with a pectoral injury.

2012

On May 23, 2012, Gronkowski was traded to the Denver Broncos in exchange for cornerback Cassius Vaughn.

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.

2013

On April 23, 2013, Gronkowski signed with the San Diego Chargers as a free agent.

On August 27, he was placed on the injured reserve list with an ankle injury.

On August 31, he was waived with an injury settlement.

2015

In July 2015, Gronkowski married Brittany Bieber.

They have four sons.

2017

After being waived by the San Diego Chargers he founded Ice Shaker, 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.

2018

In 2018, Gronkowski stated that his company had over $3 million in sales that he attributes to the product being featured on Shark Tank.