Daniel Thomas Gronkowski (born January 21, 1985) is an American former professional football tight end.

He was selected by the Detroit Lions in the seventh round of the 2009 NFL draft, after playing college football at Maryland.

Gronkowski was born in Amherst, New York to parents Gordon, and Diane Walters.

[5] Gronkowski attended Williamsville North High School where he played football, baseball, basketball, and ice hockey.

He received the George Boutselis Memorial Award for team's highest GPA.

In 2007, Gronkowski played in 11 games including eight starts and caught seven passes for 66 yards.

He was also in the process to be nominated as a Rhodes Scholar his final year at the University of Maryland.

[12] The NFL Draft Scout ranked him the 11th out of 96 tight end prospects and projected him as a fifth or sixth round selection.

Gronkowski was promoted to the active roster on December 1, 2009, after tight end Brandon Pettigrew was placed on injured reserve due to a knee injury.

[24] In early 2021 Gronkowski, along with his family, opened a NexGen Fitness franchise studio in Buffalo, New York.