You love him. You hate him. You envy him. You can’t stand him. He’s the Gronk. And what the Gronk wants, the Gronk gets. Well, until this offseason. With the news of Rob Gronkowski’s latest surgery for chronic back pain, the Patriots tight end will have gone under the knife FIVE times since November 2012. He’s everything you love about the game. He plays with intensity and doesn’t give up on plays. The Gronk burst onto the scene in 2010 and in 2011 he set records (17 TD receptions) for the tight end position. Let’s take a look back at some of the greatest Gronk moments:Late January 2012: After defeating the Ravens in the AFC Championship Game, Gronkowski suffered a pretty severe ankle injury. But you’d never know if you saw his interview with ESPN Deportes reporter John Sutcliffe. Let’s just say Gronkowski had a very Ron Burgundy-type of interview. Just watch and learn.
Super Bowl XLVI week: Records were set in Gronkowski’s sophomore NFL season. He racked up 17 touchdowns and became a household name. During Super Bowl XLVI week, he was peppered with questions about his ankle injury, but he vowed to play.
Super Bowl XLVI loss: The nagging ankle injury proved to be too much for Gronkowski as he was limited to two receptions. The Patriots lost, but that didn’t prevent Gronkowski from blowing off a little steam after the game. That’s an exaggeration.
Early in March: How do you follow up a lackluster Super Bowl performance? Well, if you’re the Gronk, you drive down to San Pedro, Calif. and rip a couple beer bongs. And that’s what he did.
Mid-April 2012: As a national celebrity, people tend to wanna talk to you. That’s what happened when the University of Rhode Island gave Gronk the stage and asked him a few questions. Remember the game “F, Marry, Kill” you used to play back in college? Apparently, Gronk is a seasoned pro.
June 8, 2012: Rob Gronkowski signs richest tight end deal in NFL history.Days after contract extension: Following a season of success and a brand new deal, it was time to celebrate. One problem: He went crazy at Patriots punter Zoltan Mesko’s event for Children’s Hospital. Once Gronk gets rollin’ he’s tough to slow down and after taking off his shirt, he allegedly threw drinks on women.
ESPY’s 2012: The Gronkowskis stole the show on the red carpet and had some fun afterwards. This picture about sums it up.
Mid-July 2012: Patriots reportedly tell Gronkowski to tone down his summer of Gronk. And he listens. November 9, 2012: The man is no scientist, but he had some questions for an astronaut during her adventures in space. And what else would you say to an astronaut in outer space? “Are you floating right now,” Gronkowski asked.
November 18, 2012: Gronkowski breaks forearm on freak special teams play. Bill Belichick would be criticized. November 19, 2012: Gronkowski undergoes surgery to repair broken forearm. January 13, 2013: Gronkowski rebreaks forearm in AFC Divisional game vs. Houston Texans January 14, 2013: Gronkowski undergoes second surgery on forearm. Sometime in February: Gronkowski has a third surgery to repair an infection. February 2013: While recovering from another surgery, Gronkowski decides to enjoy some suds in Baton Rouge. This image emerged after he spent at night at Bogies Bar & Grill, not far from LSU’s campus.
Super Bowl XLVII week: While the Baltimore Ravens hoisted the Lombardi Trophy, Gronkowski had plans to party in Vegas. He had one helluva night, too. LMFAO was rocking the stage at the nightclub XS at the Wynn, when Gronkowski got on stage and showed off some moves, including slamming his friends to the ground. Ahhh, just what every Patriots fan wants to see. A $9,600 drink bill would surface after the rowdy night. Another time in February 2013: Here he is hanging out with Johnny Football. Strike a pose.
Mid-February 2013: The aftermath of Gronk’s night out in Vegas was astounding. Nearly every major media market ran with it. Did it bother the big guy? Not one bit. See below:
March 2013: Oh whaddya know, one Gronk with four ladies in a Boston hotel room. Love it. Late-April 2013: You know Gronkowski is a family man. He had no choice, family was always first. Football was second. So, when Rob went to go visit his little brother Glenn, who is a fullback at Kansas State, things got a bit outta hand. Is that a Bud Light Platinum?
May 20, 2013: Gronkowski undergoes fourth surgery to install new hardware. May 29, 2013: Report lands that Gronkowski must undergo his fifth surgery in six months. Questions? Comments? Send them to lacesoutmail@gmail.com and we might respond in our weekly mailbag!
