After four years of marital bliss with his wife Camile, NFL legend Rob Gronkowski joyfully embraces fatherhood as they welcome their first child.

Robert James Gronkowski[2] (born May 14, 1989) is an American former football tight endwho 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,[3] he is a four-time Super Bowl champion (XLIX, LI, LIII, LV), a five-time Pro Bowl selection, a four-time first-team All-Proselection, and was selected to the NFL 2010s All-Decade Team and NFL 100th Anniversary All-Time Team.

Gronkowski was drafted by the New England Patriots in the second round with the 42nd overall pick in the 2010 NFL draft, after a draft day trade with the Oakland Raiders; in pre-draft evaluations revealed in May 2016, Raiders scouts had rated Gronkowski as the “best all-around player in the draft”.[34][35] He became the highest drafted tight end out of Arizona, breaking the mark set by Brandon Manumaleuna in 2001.[36] He signed a four-year contract on July 25, 2010.[37] The deal was worth $4.4 million, with a $1.76 million signing bonus.[38]

On March 24, 2019, after nine seasons, Gronkowski announced his retirement from the NFL, at 29 years old, via Instagram.[192][193] He further elaborated on his decision five months later, saying that the pain and injuries he had suffered throughout his career had taken a toll on his mental health:

“I was not in a good place. Football was bringing me down, and I didn’t like it. I was losing that joy in life… I could play right now if I wanted to play. I’m feeling good. Physically, I could do it. Mentally-wise, desire-wise, it’s not there… I am very satisfied with where I am in life right now. I truly believe going through those tough times, nine years, off the field, on the field, has brought me to this point. I believe I’m on the right path in my life.”[194]