Good Gronk
Four-time Super Bowl champion Rob Gronkowski is living his “best life” by
focusing on wellness, philanthropy and enterprising business pursuits.
Gronk x Wolf & Shepherd. Photo by Peggy Sirota
Gronkowski, known as “Gronk” to his fans, is in fine form when we settle in for a chat, excitedly sharing his thoughts on a variety of topics and peppering the conversation with spontaneous and playful declarations like “baby!” and “poppin!” He admits that he’s a big kid at heart, which is fitting since he also has such a big heart for kids and gets so much joy from giving back.
“My family and I started the Gronk Nation Youth Foundation about 10 years ago. The main mission of the foundation is to give kids opportunities to succeed. I had a wonderful childhood and everything I needed growing up,” he shares. “We want to give kids access to what they need to be successful. I love to give these kids some of the same opportunities that I had. It’s a humbling experience. What’s special about it is being there in person to see the smiles on the kids’ faces. Even just to take a picture with the kid who's been watching me since he was 4 and now he's 14 years old, that’s when it really hits you. To be a role model for these kids, that’s a great feeling right there."
In late March, the foundation contributed $315,000 to the Tampa Bay Resiliency Fund, which is a joint effort between the Pinellas Community Foundation, United Way Suncoast and the Foundation for a Healthy St. Petersburg. The donation supports local nonprofits that provide disaster relief, food access, mental health support and housing assistance for residents affected by hurricanes.
“So many people supported me throughout my career,” he explains. “I just want to give back to those people and the communities that have been there for me. I'll always be a part of the Tampa Bay community, especially after winning the Super Bowl here.”
This Gronk stands in stark contrast to the one who got emotional at a press conference six years ago when he described the physical and mental pain that he’d experienced during his football career.
“I want to be clear. I needed to recover. I was not in a good place,” he said at the time, describing his decision to retire from football the first time.
“Football was bringing me down and I didn’t like it. I was losing that joy in life,” he continued, tears welling up in his eyes. “I’m sorry…I really was fighting through it. I knew what I signed up for and I knew I had to fix myself. I believe I have great people around me…and I am on the right path in my life.”
His openness and vulnerability helped reduce the stigma around mental health issues, inspiring other men to speak out about their struggles.
He made a triumphant, albeit short-lived return, to the sport in 2020, when he reunited with Tom Brady to play for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. He played with the team for two seasons, winning a Super Bowl in his first season back, before leaving the sport for good. He acknowledged that he could leave with his head held high, “knowing I gave it everything I had, good or bad, every time I stepped out on the field."
These days he’s soaking in the good with longtime partner Camille Kostek, especially since he spends so much time in our area, which he says is ideal for maintaining his well-being.
“The Tampa Bay community is just such a special place. St. Pete, Clearwater and Tampa are the trifecta of cities down here,” he asserts. “Just being able to wake up with the sunshine, throw on a shirt, shorts and sandals and get outside feels good, whether that is at a park or out on the water in a boat. I’m an outdoors guy, so I love being out in nature. That's what makes this area so special. It has so much to offer.”
Doing jigsaw puzzles has also become an important part of his wellness routine.
"It just lowered my stress levels,” he’s said of discovering this hobby. “I just needed to find some downtime to just relax. I started one this morning at 7:30 and it was the quickest two hours of my week. All of a sudden 9:30 hit and I had to go do my workout and I was all disappointed, because I wanted to sit there and keep doing the puzzle. That's what I love to do to keep my mind busy and sharp.”
But it’s not just relaxation and physical fitness that has him feeling good. He has also been focused on a number of successful business ventures and endorsement deals with partners who echo the combination of leadership and camaraderie that he found on the football field. He’s particularly proud of the family business, Gronk Fitness, of which he says, “We’ve been expanding big time over the last couple of years.”
He has also partnered on a new casual restaurant concept and recently made a surprise appearance at the St. Pete location.
“Greenlane is a fantastic drive-through restaurant where you can get a nutritious salad or a wrap for just under $10. They’re nutritious and well-balanced, and they really fill you up.”
Through his brand associations, Gronk has aligned with companies that reflect his lifestyle, like his long-term partnership with BYLT Basics, which offers a dynamic fusion of fitness and style.
Gronk wearing BYLT Basics
"I feel like my whole wardrobe is BYLT,” he says of the collection, which he wears on our cover and accompanying portraits. “BYLT has some of the most comfortable clothes I have ever worn and that's what I'm looking for. I know when I look good, I feel good, and when I feel good, I can perform to the best of my abilities.”
He has another fashionable partnership with Wolf & Shepherd, a company that makes dress shoes designed to combine professional style with the comfort of athletic footwear. Founded by former athletes, the brand noticed Gronkowski wearing their shoes in 2019 and signed him as a global ambassador the following year.
“Rob is the kind of rare individual who exudes an extreme level of confidence and charm while simultaneously remaining humble and approachable,” CEO and Founder Justin Schneider explains about the desire to make him a spokesperson for the brand. “He’s got the best traits and characteristics of the ‘Wolf’ and the ‘Shepherd.’”
The role has allowed him to show off his athleticism and larger-than-life personality through a series of commercials and promos for the brand, displaying his adventurous spirit and colorful sense of humor—qualities that have made him a magnet for brands looking to up their game through associations with the charismatic sportsman.
With this vibrant energy on full display, Gronk is clearly back in fighting shape and diving into his best life with an unabashed enthusiasm.
“Oh man, I'm feeling good! That's for sure. I have learned how to take care of my body and overcome the injuries I had during my career, so I can just go about my day with no problem and live a happy and healthy lifestyle,” he offers. “I stay active and keep busy. That's why I love being down here in the Tampa Bay area, because when you wake up and it is 80 degrees outside it makes you want to stay active. And helping to give kids the support they need to succeed and to live a healthy lifestyle is awesome."
Visit gronknationyouth.org and gronkfitnessproducts.com to learn more. To check out the brands mentioned in this story, visit gogreenlane.com, byltbasics.com and wolfandshepherd.com