# Chris Gronkowski

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**Christopher Michael Gronkowski** (born December 26, 1986) is an American former professional [football](/source/American_football) player who was a [fullback](/source/Fullback_(gridiron_football)) in the [National Football League](/source/National_Football_League) (NFL). After playing [college football](/source/College_football) for the [Arizona Wildcats](/source/Arizona_Wildcats_football), he was signed by the [Dallas Cowboys](/source/Dallas_Cowboys) in 2010, [Indianapolis Colts](/source/Indianapolis_Colts) in 2011.

## Early life

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.[1] His great-grandfather, [Ignatius](/source/Ignatius_Gronkowski), was a member of the 1924 [U.S. Olympic cycling team in Paris](/source/United_States_at_the_1924_Summer_Olympics#Cycling).[2] His brothers [Dan](/source/Dan_Gronkowski), [Rob](/source/Rob_Gronkowski) and [Glenn](/source/Glenn_Gronkowski) were also in the NFL.[3]

## College football

Gronkowski accepted a football scholarship from the [University of Maryland](/source/University_of_Maryland), with the intention of playing fullback at [fullback](/source/Arizona_Wildcats_football). He was [redshirted](/source/Redshirt_(college_sports)) in 2005.

In January 2007, he transferred to the [University of Arizona](/source/University_of_Arizona).[4] As a sophomore, he played [linebacker](/source/Linebacker) for the [Wildcats](/source/Arizona_Wildcats_football) 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](/source/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 career

### Dallas Cowboys

Gronkowski did not attend the [NFL Scouting Combine](/source/NFL_Scouting_Combine), though his brother Rob did. He declared for the [2010 NFL draft](/source/2010_NFL_draft) and was projected as high as the 4th round, but went undrafted. On April 25, he signed with the [Dallas Cowboys](/source/Dallas_Cowboys).[5] On September 4, he made the 53 man roster for insurance purposes in case fullback [Deon Anderson](/source/Deon_Anderson)'s injuries persisted.[6] He made his first career start on September 19, against the [Chicago Bears](/source/Chicago_Bears).[7] His first career touchdown catch came in the same game on a one-yard pass from [Tony Romo](/source/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](/source/Monday_Night_Football)* game against the [New York Giants](/source/New_York_Giants), Gronkowski missed a blitz pickup on [linebacker](/source/Linebacker) [Michael Boley](/source/Michael_Boley), as he ran straight to [quarterback](/source/Quarterback) [Tony Romo](/source/Tony_Romo) and hit him high. Romo got the pass off to [Miles Austin](/source/Miles_Austin), but he suffered a fractured left clavicle, which ended his season.[8] 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.[9]

### Indianapolis Colts

On September 4, 2011, Gronkowski was claimed off waivers by the [Indianapolis Colts](/source/Indianapolis_Colts). On October 25, he was placed on the [injured reserve](/source/Injured_reserve) with a pectoral injury.[10]

### Denver Broncos

On May 23, 2012, Gronkowski was traded to the [Denver Broncos](/source/Denver_Broncos) in exchange for [cornerback](/source/Cornerback) [Cassius Vaughn](/source/Cassius_Vaughn).[11] 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.[12]

### San Diego Chargers

On April 23, 2013, Gronkowski signed with the [San Diego Chargers](/source/San_Diego_Chargers) as a [free agent](/source/Free_agent).[13] On August 27, he was placed on the [injured reserve list](/source/Injured_reserve_list) with an ankle injury.[14] On August 31, he was waived with an injury settlement.

## Personal life

In July 2015, Gronkowski married Brittany Bieber.[15] They have four children.[16]

After being waived by the San Diego Chargers he founded Ice Shaker,[17] 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](/source/Shark_Tank).* He made a deal with [Mark Cuban](/source/Mark_Cuban) and guest shark [Alex Rodriguez](/source/Alex_Rodriguez) for $150,000 in exchange for 15% equity.[18] In 2018, Gronkowski stated that his company had over $3 million in sales that he attributes to the product being featured on Shark Tank.[19]

Gronkowski is active in the family's fitness company Gronk Fitness,[20] promoting fitness equipment sales and workout routines.

## References

1. ["Player Bio: Chris Gronkowski"](https://web.archive.org/web/20100627050510/http://www.arizonawildcats.com/sports/m-footbl/mtt/gronkowski_chris00.html). Archived from [the original](http://www.arizonawildcats.com/sports/m-footbl/mtt/gronkowski_chris00.html) on June 27, 2010. Retrieved June 19, 2010.

1. ["Rob Gronkowski"](https://web.archive.org/web/20161109062933/http://www.patriots.com/team/players/roster/rob-gronkowski). Archived from [the original](http://www.patriots.com/team/players/roster/rob-gronkowski) on November 9, 2016. Retrieved August 16, 2010.

1. Walker, Monique (September 6, 2011). ["Dan Gronkowski to join the Patriots"](https://www.boston.com/sports/new-england-patriots/2011/09/06/dan_gronkowski/). *[The Boston Globe](/source/The_Boston_Globe)*. Retrieved September 6, 2011.

1. ["The other Gronkowski pleasant surprise for UA"](https://tucson.com/sports/football/college/wildcats/the-other-gronkowski-pleasant-surprise-for-ua/article_8bb5f7df-4602-5f2e-aa8f-5664deea2458.html). October 3, 2008. Retrieved June 14, 2020.

1. ["Cowboys sign undrafted free agents"](https://www.espn.com/blog/dallas/cowboys/post/_/id/4667919/cowboys-sign-undrafted-free-agents). *ESPN.com*. April 25, 2010. Retrieved June 14, 2020.

1. ["Cowboys going with two fullbacks"](https://www.espn.com/blog/dallas-cowboys/post/_/id/4671806/cowboys-going-with-two-fullbacks). ESPN. September 7, 2010. Retrieved June 14, 2020.

1. ["Chris Gronkowski makes team"](https://www.espn.com/blog/dallas/cowboys/post/_/id/4672217/deon-anderson-has-knee-surgery). ESPN. September 16, 2010. Retrieved June 14, 2020.

1. ["Cowboys bench FB Chris Gronkowski"](https://www.espn.com/blog/dallas/cowboys/post/_/id/4673833/cowboys-bench-fb-chris-gronkowski). ESPN. October 31, 2015. Retrieved June 14, 2020.

1. ["Cowboys cut FB Chris Gronkowski"](https://www.espn.com/blog/dallas-cowboys/post/_/id/4682991/cowboys-cut-fb-chris-gronkowski). *ESPN.com*. September 3, 2011. Retrieved June 14, 2020.

1. ["Kerry Collins lands on injured reserve"](https://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/7149341/indianapolis-colts-put-veteran-kerry-collins-ir-concussion). ESPN. October 25, 2013. Retrieved June 14, 2020.

1. ["Broncos deal for Chris Gronkowski"](https://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/7963674/denver-broncos-get-fb-chris-gronkowski-trade-indianapolis-colts). ESPN. May 23, 2012. Retrieved June 14, 2020.

1. ["Chris Gronkowski let got by Broncos"](https://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/9033310/denver-broncos-part-ways-chris-gronkowski). ESPN. March 8, 2013. Retrieved June 14, 2020.

1. ["Chargers sign Gronkowski"](https://web.archive.org/web/20180422063910/http://www.chargers.com/news/2013/04/23/chargers-sign-gronkowski-0). Archived from [the original](http://www.chargers.com/news/2013/04/23/chargers-sign-gronkowski-0) on April 22, 2018. Retrieved September 12, 2016.

1. Williamson, Bill (August 27, 2013). ["Chargers cut down to 75"](https://www.espn.com/blog/san-diego-chargers/post/_/id/47/chargers-cut-down-to-75). *ESPN.com*. Retrieved June 14, 2020.

1. Yan, Renee (December 17, 2018). ["Everything Decorated in Colleyville creates gifts with meaning"](https://communityimpact.com/dallas-fort-worth/grapevine-colleyville-southlake/business/2018/12/17/everything-decorated-in-colleyville-creates-gifts-with-meaning/). *Community Impact Newspaper*. Retrieved February 28, 2019.

1. Montag, Ali (September 26, 2018). ["Ex-NFL player, Ice Shaker founder Chris Gronkowski's morning routine"](https://www.cnbc.com/2018/09/26/ex-nfl-player-ice-shaker-founder-chris-gronkowskis-morning-routine.html). *www.cnbc.com*. Retrieved February 28, 2019.

1. Fraioli, Claire Rodgers, Sophia (2019-03-29). ["Business booms for former NFL player Chris Gronkowski after 'Shark Tank'"](https://www.cnbc.com/2019/03/29/business-booms-for-former-nfl-player-chris-gronkowski-after-shark-tank.html). *CNBC*. Retrieved 2021-12-16.

1. ["Gronkowski brothers land 'Shark Tank' investments from Alex Rodriguez, Mark Cuban"](http://www.sportingnews.com/nfl/news/gronkowski-shark-tank-investments-alex-rodriguez-mark-cuban-ice-shaker/t57li2jexut81o6s5jldqeq27). *Sporting News*. October 16, 2017. Retrieved October 16, 2017.

1. Montag, Ali (2018-09-26). ["Ex-NFL star Chris Gronkowski now runs a business bringing in millions"](https://www.cnbc.com/2018/09/26/ex-nfl-player-ice-shaker-founder-chris-gronkowskis-morning-routine.html). *CNBC*. Retrieved 2025-01-25.

1. rodiowrites (2016-08-18). ["Gronkowskis Launch Fitness Gear Line"](https://www.mensjournal.com/sports/gronkowski-family-about-dominate-your-gym-line-fitness-gear/). *Men's Journal*. Retrieved 2021-12-16.

## External links

- [Maryland Terrapins bio](https://umterps.com/news/2013/4/9/208127182.aspx)*

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Adapted from the Wikipedia article [Chris Gronkowski](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chris_Gronkowski) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chris_Gronkowski?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.