Sign up for the Today newsletter
Get everything you need to know to start your day, delivered right to your inbox every morning.
Rob Gronkowski talks new Boston playground, slowing the partying
"I’m a big kid at heart. I relate to kids, they relate to me."
Rob Gronkowski is one of Boston’s most beloved athletes in recent times, following his three Super Bowl wins with the Patriots.
Now, in his retirement, Gronkowski is still a major presence in and around the city. He sat down with Adam Elder at New York Magazine’s Intelligencer for a story published Monday to discuss the help he is giving, along with how his lifestyle has changed as he’s gotten older.
Growing up in a household with five boys, sports were a part of Gronkwoski’s life from a young age. He believes this is a major reason why he decided to create the Gronk Nation Youth Foundation, as well as “Gronk Playground“, which opened this summer.
Advertisement:
“I started Gronk Nation Youth Foundation so I can give kids who are less fortunate the opportunity that I had growing up, where I could go to a park, I had friends to play with, and I could compete at all times,” says Gronkowski.
Located on the Charles River Esplanade, Gronk Playground was built to be in an accessible area where kids (or Gronk himself) can play anytime they want.
Gronk was also always known for his antics both on and off the field.
From his parents letting him and his brothers fight as kids, to college at the University of Arizona, to even being in the NFL, Gronk was partying through it all.
Advertisement:
However, as he has gotten older he’s had to slow it down.
“It’s just getting older, man,” he told Elder. “If I could feel like I was 22 years old again and go out all night and be able to wake up in three hours and get a full workout in, I would do that, but there’s absolutely no chance that I would be able to. It’s just growing up.”
Gronk believes this has increased his marketability in some cases, though.
He said that there were a few brands while he was playing who didn’t sign him because he was too wild, but now see him as responsible.
This slowing down won’t keep Gronk from being the same child he’s always been.
“I’m a big kid at heart,” said Gronkowski. “I relate to kids, they relate to me.”
To comment, please create a screen name in your profile
To comment, please verify your email address
Conversation
This discussion has ended. Please join elsewhere on Boston.com