Robert James Gronkowski is an American former football tight end who played in the National Football League (NFL) for 11 seasons. Nicknamed "Gronk", Gronkowski played nine seasons for the New England Patriots, then played his final two seasons for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Regarded as one of the greatest tight ends of all time, he is a four-time Super Bowl champion, a five-time Pro Bowl selection, a four-time first-team All-Pro selection, and was selected to the NFL 2010s All-Decade Team and NFL 100th Anniversary All-Time Team.
Gronkowski in 2019
Gronkowski (#87) in a 2011 game against the Indianapolis Colts
Gronkowski during the 2013 season
Gronkowski in 2013
The tight end (TE) is an offensive position in American football, arena football, and Canadian football. It is a hybrid that combines the characteristics and roles of both an offensive lineman and a receiver. As part of the receiver corps, they play inside the flanks (tight), contrasted with the split end who plays outside the flanks (wide). Like offensive linemen, they are usually lined up on the offensive line and are large enough to be effective blockers. On the other hand, unlike offensive linemen, they are eligible receivers and potent weapons in a team's offensive schemes.
Travis Kelce of the Kansas City Chiefs in the open field
LSU Tigers tight end Foster Moreau (right) lining up on the end of the offensive line before a snap during a game in 2018
At 6'6" and 265 lbs., New England Patriots tight end Rob Gronkowski, a four-time first-team All-Pro, was large even by contemporary standards.
At 6'7", 265 lbs., Jimmy Graham, shown here playing for the New Orleans Saints, demonstrates the athleticism of a tight end in its role as a receiver.