Chris Gronkowski

Chris Gronkowski (born December 26, 1986) is an American football fullback who is currently a free agent in the National Football League. He was signed by the Dallas Cowboys as an undrafted free agent in 2010. He was traded to the Broncos on May 23, 2012. He played college football at Arizona.

Early years
Gronkowski was born on December 26, 1986 in Buffalo, New York to Diane and Gordon Gronkowski. His great-grandfather, Ignatius Gronkowski, was a member of the 1924 U.S. Olympic cycling team in Paris. His younger brother Rob and his older brother Dan are both NFL tight ends. His father played three years as an offensive guard at Syracuse. He attended Williamsville North High School in Williamsville, New York where he was a three year letterwinner playing football and baseball. He averaged 6.2 yards per carry and recorded 453 receiving yards his senior year. He also forced 4 fumbles and recorded 82 tackles and 2 touchdowns on defense.

College career
Gronkowski was recruited to Maryland as a fullback in 2005, but redshirted his freshman year. His redshirt freshman season in 2006, he worked his way up into the fullback rotation. He had the eighth highest strength index on the team which was the best among running backs.

In his redshirt sophomore season in 2007, he transferred to Arizona where he played linebacker. He went back to the starting fullback position in 2008 as a fourth year junior as he recorded 8 receptions for 198 yards and 3 touchdowns. He was also the Second Team All-Pac-10 Academic Football Team.

In 2009, as a fifth year senior, he recorded 4 catches for 20 yards.

2010 season
Gronkowski did not attend the NFL Scouting Combine in 2010, though his brother Rob did. He declared for the 2010 NFL Draft and was projected as high as the 4th round, but went undrafted. One day after the draft, on April 25, 2010, Gronkowski signed with the Cowboys. On September 4, 2010, Gronkowski made it past the final cuts to join the 53 man roster. He made his first career start on September 19, 2010 against the Chicago Bears. Also, his first career touchdown catch came in the same game on a one yard pass from Tony Romo. On October 25, 2010, in a Monday Night football game against the Giants, Gronkowski missed a blocking assignment on Michael Boley as he ran straight to Tony Romo and knocked him to the ground. Romo got the pass off to Miles Austin, but he suffered a fractured left clavicle, which ended Romo's 2010 season. He started 7 out of 14 games and finished the season with 17 rushing yards on 5 carries and 7 catches for 35 yards and a touchdown.

Indianapolis Colts
On September 4, 2011 Gronkowski was picked up by the Indianapolis Colts through waivers.

Denver Broncos
On May 23, 2012, Gronkowski was traded to the Denver Broncos in exchange for Cassius Vaughn.