Rob Gronkowski has a new gig after retiring from the NFL earlier this year. The three-time Super Bowl champion has joined Fox Sports as an NFL analyst, the network announced Tuesday morning.
The former New England Patriots tight end will make his network debut this week on “Fox NFL Thursday,” when the New England Patriots take on their old foes, the New York Giants.
“I’m extremely excited to be joining Fox Sports,” Gronkowski said. “For the past 25 years, they’ve offered viewers top-notch NFL programming from the field to the booth to the studio. Their deep talent roster is unmatched, which was important for me as I embark on this new chapter in my life because I’ll be able to learn from the best in the business.”
“We’re thrilled Rob chose Fox Sports for the next phase of his football life,” Brad Zager, executive producer and executive vice president, head of production and operations, said. “He is one of the most popular players to ever play the game and also one of the best tight ends in NFL history. His passion for the game and larger-than-life personality make him a perfect fit for Fox Sports.”
During his nine seasons in the NFL, Gronkowski recorded 521 career receptions, 7,861 receiving yards, 79 receiving touchdowns, the most 1,000-yard seasons by a tight end (four) and the most postseason receiving touchdowns (12). His 79 career touchdown catches rank him third all-time among tight ends. With a postseason record of 1,163 receiving yards, he ranksninth all-time in postseason receiving yards, regardless of position.
The 30-year-old announced his retirement last March in an Instagram message in which he thanked the Patriots for “drafting his silliness.”
“It all started at 20 years old on stage at the NFL draft when my dream came true, and now here I am about to turn 30 in a few months with a decision I feel is the biggest of my life so far. I will be retiring from the game of football today,” Gronkowski wrote.
“I am so grateful for the opportunity that Mr. Kraft and Coach Belichick gave to me when drafting my silliness in 2010. My life experiences over the last nine years have been amazing both on and off the field. The people I have met, the relationships I have built, the championships I have been a part of, I just want to thank the whole New England Patriots organization for every opportunity I have been giving and learning the great values of life that I can apply to mine.
“Thank you to all of Pats Nation around the world for the incredible support since I have been a part of this 1st class organization. Thank you for everyone accepting who I am and the dedication I have put into my work to be the best player I could be. But now it’s time to move forward and move forward with a big smile knowing that the New England Patriots Organization, Pats Nation, and all my fans will be truly a big part of my heart for the rest of my life.”
Since hanging up his Patriots jersey, Gronk has teamed up with CBDMEDIC to promote drug-free pain management in pro sports and launched the Stadium Blitz obstacle course challenge series with his brothers, Gordie Jnr., Dan, Chris and Glenn. The family is also very involved in aiding underprivileged children and pediatric cancer patients through the Gronk Nation Youth Foundation.
Gronkowski is repped by UTA and longtime manager, Henry Penzi.
The Oscars of the sports world has expanded into a full week of ESPYS-related parties - with Rob Gronkowski seemingly making it to all of them.
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The former Patriots tight end went to head-to-head with Floyd Mayweather to tip off the week in the Monster Energy $50K Charity Challenge Celebrity Basketball Game at UCLA's Pauley Pavilion.
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Team captain Gronk was joined by his biggest cheerleader/girlfriend, Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue cover model, Camille Kostek. Rob also recruited big brother Chris Gronkowski onto his team, but still went down fighting to Team Mayweather.
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Snoop Dogg acted as Team Gronk's coach for the celeb-filled game that raised money for Teen Cancer America.
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"Dancing With the Stars" pros Jenna Johnson and Val Chmerkovskiy forgot to keep their eyes on the ball as the sat courtside.
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MVP of party-rocking and future NFL Hall of Famer Gronk hosted the ESPYS Official Pre-Party at Hotel Figueroa in downtown LA. the night before the 2019 awards.
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If you ever wonder where the three-time Super Bowl champion gets his dance moves from, look no further than Gordy "Papa Gronk" Gronkowski.
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Yep, the apple doesn't fall far from tree as Chris, Dan and Rob Gronkowski prepared to set the dance-floor on fire to tunes by DJ D-Nice.
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Jimmy V Award for Perseverance honoree Rob Mendez, a football coach born without arms or legs, joined in the dance-off with the Gronks, Paralympians and Afghanistan veteran Israel Del Toro.
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Cassidy Hubbarth, Katie Nolan and Dianna Russini walked the red carpet at the pre-ESPYS party before hosting ESPN's "Red Carpet Live" on Twitter the following day.
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2018 U.S. Open champion Brooks Koepka proved that golfers can party too.
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Also on Tuesday night, the Players' Tribune founder Derek Jeter welcomed stars such as Cam Newton to the Players’ Night Out party in Hollywood.
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WNBA teammates Breanna Stewart and Sue Bird took advantage of the couch to give their feet a break at the Players’ Night Out party.
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Legends Award honoree Dwyane Wade walked the orange carpet with his kids at the Nickelodeon "Kids' Choice Sports" before getting drowned in gold slime ... (be sure to take that expensive watch off, Wade!)
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It's about to get messy between skateboarding phenomena Nyjah Huston and Gronk at Nickelodeon's "Kids' Choice Sports."
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Snowboarders Chloe Kim and Toby Miller prove they're the cutest couple in extreme sports.
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Cedars-Sinai and Sports Spectacular closed out the festivities with the 34th Annual Gala Celebration on Monday, once again held at Snoop Dogg's (with MMA ring announcer Bruce Buffer) compound in Inglewood.
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First-time attendee WWE Superstar Nikki Bella pledged her support to the Sports Spectacular Diabetes and Obesity Wellness and Research Center. "I am now in for life, I love when you can be at such an amazing event that raises awareness for such a good cause," she told TheWrap. "It is so important as athletes with our platforms to educate people."
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L.A. Rams running back Todd Gurley now has Sports Spectacular's NFL Player of the Year Award -- presented by none other than Snoop Dogg -- to add to his trophy cabinet.
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Former San Diego Chargers linebacker Shawne Merriman, who is now in the fighting business with Lights Out Extreme Fighting, swapped moves with former UFC champion Tyron Woodley at the Sports Spectacular gala.
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The most talented siblings in the WNBA, L.A. Sparks teammates Chiney and Nneka Ogwumike shared health tips at the Sports Spectacular gala before checking out the Beyond Meat-catered cuisine.
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LAFC teammates Walker Zimmerman and Tyler Miller were on hand when the MLS team, now in its second season, won the Community Spirit Award. "From the beginning, they made it a point to get involved with the community, being the first soccer team in downtown L.A.," Zimmerman (left) told TheWrap. "It is a testament to people in the front office but also our supporters, who get involved with every type of charity event."
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Currently out with an ACL injury that she suffered while playing in Europe, Seattle Storm WNBA star Stewart reminded Sports Spectacular guests that "Women Ball Too," before collecting the award for Female Athlete of the Year.
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The biggest day in sports now lasts a whole week, with ESPN, Nickelodeon, Players’ Tribune and Sports Spectacular joining the action
The Oscars of the sports world has expanded into a full week of ESPYS-related parties - with Rob Gronkowski seemingly making it to all of them.