Drafted 42nd overall in the second round of the 2010 NFL Draft, former New England Patriots and Tampa Bay Buccaneers tight end Rob Gronkowski is often called the best at his position ever to live.
Unfortunately, throughout his decade-plus career, Gronkowski dealt with many injuries, including fractures to his back and forearm, injuries to his hip, ankle, knee (including ACL), hamstring, and the list seemingly goes on and on.
Coming out of Arizona State, concerns over his back made him slip to the second round, but the Patriots couldn’t pass up on him.
Still just 34 years old, Gronkowski last played in 2021. He holds the record for most touchdowns in a season by a tight end (18) and has the most combined receptions and receiving yards by a tight end in Super Bowl history. He has 23 receptions for 297 yards in the big game, including missing out on Super Bowl LI.
Here, we’ll explore Gronkowski’s Super Bowl victories and compare him to other NFL legends.
After losing the Super Bowl in his second season to the New York Giants, the Patriots, and Gronkowski got their revenge a few years later against the Seattle Seahawks and their “Legion of Boom.”
This game ended with an interception from Patriots cornerback Malcolm Butler at the goal line. The Seahawks could’ve run running back Marshawn Lynch up the middle but instead opted for a pass, and the Patriots won 28-24.
Gronkowski caught six passes for 68 yards and a touchdown in this game. His touchdown catch came just before half-time on a 22-yard play. It would prove necessary as the Seahawks scored after them and just before half-time, making the game tied at 14 each.
In what was the most remarkable comeback in Super Bowl history, the Patriots were unfortunately without Gronkowski in this game as he was lost for the season in Week 13 due to a back injury. He had 540 receiving yards before needing to sit out the remainder of the season.
So, Gronkowski still got a Super Bowl ring here but could not perform.
After sitting out the previous Super Bowl win, Gronkowski got a chance to redeem himself two years later against the surging Los Angeles Rams.
The game would be a defensive battle as the Patriots won 13-3, holding off the Rams and their prolific offense.
Despite the lack of scoring, Gronkowski still caught another six passes for 87 yards here. He didn’t catch a touchdown, but the same can be said for everyone, as the only touchdown was a Sony Michel two-yard rush. Not the most exciting game ever, but a win nonetheless.
Following the Super Bowl win against the Rams, Gronkowski announced his retirement on March 24, 2019.
“I was not in a good place. Football was bringing me down, and I didn’t like it. I was losing that joy in life... I could play right now if I wanted to play. I’m feeling good. Physically, I could do it. Mentally-wise, desire-wise, it’s not there... I am very satisfied with where I am in life right now. I truly believe going through those tough times, nine years, off the field, on the field, has brought me to this point. I believe I’m on the right path in my life," Gronkowski said.
However, a couple of years later, when Brady left the Patriots and signed with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, this encouraged his No. 1 weapon to return to the game, but the Patriots still held his rights.
On April 21, 2020, the Patriots traded his rights to the Buccaneers and a seventh-round pick for a compensatory fourth-round pick.
Before winning the Super Bowl, Gronkowski ended the regular season with 45 receptions, 623 yards, and seven touchdowns.
In the Super Bowl against the Kansas City Chiefs, the Buccaneers dismantled them, winning 31-9. Gronkowski played a massive role in the game, catching another six passes for 67 yards and two touchdowns.
After this, Gronkowski played one more season with the Buccaneers, playing 12 games, before retiring for good.
His resume shows that Gronkowski has four rings, and his teams were part of six Super Bowls. As mentioned, he didn’t play in Super Bowl LI but still got a ring.
Thus, he appeared in five possible Super Bowls and holds many records.
As you’ll see in the chart below, with four rings, Gronkowski is in elite company.
Player | No. of Rings | Years Won | Teams Won With |
Tom Brady | 7 | 2002, 2004, 2005, 2015, 2017, 2019, 2021 | New England Patriots, Tampa Bay Buccaneers |
Charles Haley | 5 | 1989, 1990, 1993, 1994, 1996 | San Francisco 49ers, Dallas Cowboys |
Ted Hendricks | 4 | 1971, 1977, 1981, 1984 | Baltimore Colts, Oakland Raiders, Los Angeles Raiders |
Marv Fleming | 4 | 1967, 1968, 1973, 1974 | Green Bay Packers, Miami Dolphins |
Matt Millen | 4 | 1981, 1984, 1990, 1991 | Oakland Raiders, Los Angeles Raiders, San Francisco 49ers, Washington Redskins |
Bill Romanowski | 4 | 1989, 1990, 1998, 1999 | San Francisco 49ers, Denver Broncos |
Adam Vinatieri | 4 | 2002, 2004, 2005, 2007 | New England Patriots, Indianapolis Colts |
Joe Montana | 4 | 1982, 1985, 1989, 1990 | San Francisco 49ers |
Keena Turner | 4 | 1982, 1985, 1989, 1990 | San Francisco 49ers |
Eric Wright | 4 | 1982, 1985, 1989, 1990 | San Francisco 49ers |
In addition to four Super Bowl rings, Gronkowski appeared in six Conference Championship games—five in the AFC and one in the NFC.
Across these games, Gronkowski has 24 receptions, 388 yards, and two touchdowns.
However, he missed the Conference Championship game before Super Bowl LI, so he appeared in six of a possible seven.
Below, you’ll see how he compares with six appearances.
Player | Finals Appearances | Winning Percentage | Years Appeared in Finals | Teams Appeared With |
Tom Brady | 14 | .714 | 2002, 2004, 2005, 2007, 2008, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2021 | New England Patriots, Tampa Bay Buccaneers |
Steve Young | 7 | .429 | 1989, 1990, 1991, 1993, 1994, 1995, 1998 | San Francisco 49ers |
Joe Montana | 7 | .571 | 1982, 1984, 1985, 1989, 1990, 1991, 1994 | San Francisco 49ers |
Roger Staubach | 7 | .714 | 1971, 1972 (2 appearances same year), 1973, 1976, 1978, 1979 | Dallas Cowboys |
John Elway | 6 | .833 | 1987, 1988, 1990, 1992, 1998, 1999 | Denver Broncos |
Terry Bradshaw | 6 | .667 | 1972, 1974, 1976 (2 appearances same year), 1979, 1980 | Pittsburgh Steelers |
Aaron Rodgers | 5 | .200 | 2008, 2011, 2015, 5017, 2020, 2021 | Green Bay Packers |
Patrick Mahomes | 5 | .600 | 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023 | Kansas City Chiefs |
Ben Roethlisberger | 5 | .600 | 2005, 2006, 2009, 2011, 2017 | Pittsburgh Steelers |
Peyton Manning | 5 | .800 | 2004, 2007, 2010, 2014, 2016 | Indianapolis Colts, Denver Broncos |
Donovan McNabb | 5 | .200 | 2002, 20223, 2004, 2005, 2009 | Philadelphia Eagles |
Brett Favre | 5 | .400 | 1996, 1997, 1998, 2008, 2010 | Green Bay Packers, Minnesota Vikings |
As you’ll see, with his six appearances, he ties legends like Bradshaw and Elway. Had he not been injured before Super Bowl LI, he’d be tied for second all-time Conference Championship game appearances.
How Does Rob Gronkowski Compare to Tom Brady in Terms of Championship Rings?
Will Rob Gronkowski Win More Championships in the Future?
How Does Rob Gronkowski’s Championship Count Compare to Other Contemporary NFL Stars?
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