Gronkowski attended Williamsville North High School. While there, as a senior, he recorded 53 receptions for 762 yards and 11 touchdowns on offense. On defense, he recorded 43 tackles, eight interceptions, two returned for touchdowns and two recovered fumbles. He also averaged 35.8 yards per punt and handled kickoffs. He was named the Section VI Class AA North Co-Offensive Player of the Year. During his high school career, Gronkowski recorded 125 receptions for 2,076 yards and 23 touchdowns.
College
After high school, Gronkowski attended Kansas State, where he majored in marketing. As a true freshman in 2012, he decided to redshirt. As a redshirt freshman in 2013, he appeared in all 13 games, starting five. He recorded five receptions for 194 yards and three touchdowns. He was also a lead blocker for running backJohn Hubert, who finished fourth in the Big 12 in rushing yards and recorded the 14th 1,000-yard season in school history. For the season, Gronkowski was named an All-Big 12 honorable mention selection and was a First team Academic All-Big 12 selection as well. In 2014, he appeared in all 13 games with three starts. He recorded five receptions for 99 yards and one touchdown. He was named First team Academic All-District 7 and First team Academic All-Big 12. For 2015, he started all 13 games. He recorded five receptions for 76 yards and one touchdown. He also rushed the ball 11 times for 45 yards and one touchdown. He also threw a four-yard touchdown pass for fellow fullback Winston Dimel, the first Wildcat non-quarterback to throw a touchdown pass since 2010. He was named Second team All-Big 12 by the Associated Press and First team Academic All-Big 12 and First team Academic All-District 7.
Professional
Buffalo Bills
After going undrafted in the 2016 NFL draft, Gronkowski signed with the Buffalo Bills as an undrafted free agent. He was released on September 12, 2016, after only playing in one game.
New England Patriots
On October 1, 2016, Gronkowski was signed to the Patriots' practice squad. He was released on October 12, 2016. On October 17, 2016, he was re-signed to their practice squad. Gronkowski was again released from New England's practice squad on November 7, 2016. He was re-signed again on November 16, 2016. He was released again on November 30, 2016, but was re-signed again two days later on December 2, 2016. On February 5, 2017, the Patriots won Super Bowl LI. In the game, the Patriots defeated the Atlanta Falcons by a score of 34–28 in overtime to give Gronkowski his first Super Bowl championship. On February 14, 2017, the Patriots signed Gronkowski to a futures contract for the 2017 season. He was waived on September 2, 2017.
