Tampa Bay Buccaneers tight end Rob Gronkowski has retired from the NFL, again. But this time it seems like this is for good. Gronk is quite possibly the greatest to play the position, and is bound to be a first-ballot Hall of Famer.
In 11 seasons, he compiled 621 catches, 9,286 yards, and 92 TDs. He’s a four-time Super Bowl champion, five-time Pro Bowl and four-time All-Pro honoree.
As prolific as he was on the field, Gronk was the man off the field. A legendary partier and someone that loved to have a good time. Here’s a look back at five legendary moments in the rock star life of “Gronk.”
#5. Gronk and Big Papi like Dunkin’ Donuts
Gronk and Boston Red Sox slugger David “Big Papi” Ortiz got together for a new Dunkin’ Donuts commercial called “Dunkin’ Paradise.” The ad capitalized on the oversized gregarious personalities of the two New England sports heroes and the ubiquity of the Massachusetts based coffee and doughnut company.
#4. Gronk judges Isle of Palms bikini contest
It was the summer of 2015 and Gronk was fresh off his first Super Bowl title as the New England Patriots defeated the Seattle Seahawks. Gronk and his crew popped up on Folly Beach in South Carolina. The TE agreed to be a judge during a bikini contest at the Windjammer on Isle of Palms.
#3. Gronk makes his WWE debut
A lifelong wrestling fan, Gronk made his WWE debut at WrestleMania 33 in 2017. He teamed up with star and friend Mojo Rawley to help Rawley win the André the Giant Memorial Battle Royal.
Gronk has gone on to make several more appearances on WWE properties, including SmackDown. He hosted WrestleMania 36 and won the WWE 24/7 championship.
#2. White Tiger on “The Masked Singer”
Gronk competed on the reality singing competition “The Masked Singer” during season 3 and advanced to Super Nine.
He performed hits like “Ice Ice Baby,” “Good Vibrations,” “We Will Rock You,” and “I’m Too Sexy.”
#1. Gronk vs. Shaq dance-off
Ever wonder what it’s like to see two giant humans in a dance off? In 2018 at Shaq’s Fun House in Miami the basketball legend and Gronk showed off their moves on stage.
Shaq hosts an annual Super Bowl party the weekend of the big game in the host city. It’s part festival, part carnival, with live musical performances food and booze.
The former Patriots and Buccaneers tight end is headed for Canton as soon as he becomes eligible. He’s had a remarkable career on the football field, but his life off the field has seemingly been as much if not more fun.
If there is a Hall of Fame for partying and enjoying life, Gronk would be a first-ballot member in that one as well.
In the past several years we’ve seen networks shell out huge dollars to retain the broadcast services of former players. Gronk would be a welcomed addition to any studio show or game day broadcast team, if he so desires.
He has so many interests in addition to football it’s safe to say his post-playing career as some form of entertainer will go well.
