9781422277256

Gridiron Greats PRO FOO TBA L L’ S BES T PL AY ERS

by Joe L . Morgan

Gridiron Greats PRO FOO TBA L L’ S BES T PL AY ERS

Aaron Rodgers Antonio Brown DrewBrees J.J. Watt Julio Jones Rob Gronkowski RussellWilson

Tom Brady Von Miller

Gridiron Greats PRO FOO TBA L L’ S BES T PL AY ERS

by Joe L . Morgan

MASON CREST

Mason Crest 450 Parkway Drive, Suite D Broomall, Pennsylvania 19008 (866) MCP-BOOK (toll-free) www.masoncrest.com

Copyright © 2019 by Mason Crest, an imprint of National Highlights, Inc. All rights reserved. No part of this publicationmay be reproduced or transmitted in any formor by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, taping, or any information storage and retrieval system, without permission from

the publisher. First printing 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 ISBN (hardback) 978-1-4222-4074-8

ISBN (series) 978-1-4222-4067-0 ISBN (ebook) 978-1-4222-7725-6 Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data Names: Morgan, Joe L., author. Title: Rob Gronkowski / Joe L. Morgan. Description: Broomall, Pennsylvania : Mason Crest, an imprint of National Highlights, Inc., [2018] | Series: Gridiron greats: Pro football’s best players. Identifiers: LCCN 2018020760 (print) | LCCN 2018022748 (ebook) | ISBN 9781422277256 (eBook) | ISBN 9781422240748 (hardback) | ISBN 9781422240670 (series) Subjects: LCSH: Gronkowski, Rob, 1989—-Juvenile literature. | Tight ends (Football)—United States—Biography—Juvenile literature. | Football players—United States—Biography—Juvenile literature. | New England Patriots (Football team)—History—Juvenile literature. Classification: LCC GV939.G777 (ebook) | LCC GV939.G777 M67 2018 (print) | DDC 796.332092 [B] —dc23 LC record available at https://lccn.loc.gov/2018020760 Developed and Produced by National Highlights Inc. Editor: Andrew Luke Interior and cover design: Jana Rade, impact studios Production: Michelle Luke

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Contents

Further Reading . . . . . . . . . 74 Internet Resources . . . . . . . 75 Index . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 76 Photo Credits . . . . . . . . . . 79 Educational Video Links & Author Bio . . . . . . . . . . . 80

Chapter 1: Greatest Moments . . . .7 Chapter 2: The Road to the Top . . 21 Chapter 3: On the Field . . . . . . 37 Chapter 4: Words Count . . . . . 47 Chapter 5: Off the Field . . . . . . 63 Series Glossary of Key Terms . . 72

KEY ICONS TO LOOK FOR:

Words to Understand: These words with their easy-to-understand definitions will increase the reader’s understanding of the text while building vocabulary skills.

Sidebars: This boxed material within the main text allows readers to build knowledge, gain insights, explore possibilities, and broaden their perspectives by weaving together additional information to provide realistic and holistic perspectives. Educational Videos: Readers can view videos by scanning our QR codes, providing them with additional educational content to supplement the text. Examples include news coverage, moments in history, speeches, iconic sports moments and much more! Text-Dependent Questions: These questions send the reader back to the text for more careful attention to the evidence presented there.

Research Projects: Readers are pointed toward areas of further inquiry connected to each chapter. Suggestions are provided for projects that encourage deeper research and analysis.

Series Glossary of Key Terms: This back-of-the book glossary contains terminology used throughout this series. Words found here increase the reader’s ability to read and comprehend higher-level books and articles in this field.

WORDS TO UNDERSTAND acrobatic – performing, involving, or adept at spectacular athletic feats requiring skillful control of the body foe – an opponent in a game or contest; adversary tight end – a pass eligible position in an American football offense

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Gridiron Greats: Pro Football’s Best Players

Chapter 1

Greatest Moments

ROB GRONKOWSKI’S NFL CAREER Rob Gronkowski (commonly referred to by his nickname, Gronk), born May 14, 1989, is a former collegiate All-American and the NFL record holder for touchdowns made by a rookie tight end . He caught 90 passes for 1,327 yards in his second year in the league, is a three-time NFL All-Pro, and is a two-time Super Bowl champion. 2017 was Gronkowski’s eighth year in the league, all with the New England Patriots as one of the most prolific tight ends to have played in the National Football League. He is in the company of such players as Kellen Winslow, Tony Gonzalez, and the great Mike Ditka. The numbers that Gronkowski has put up in his career have been nothing short of amazing. His numbers for the 88 games he played through the 2016 season are on par with those of these players: Todd Christensen (1979–1985/NY Giants and Oakland); Vernon Davis (2006–2011/San Francisco); Jimmy Graham (2010–2015/ New Orleans and Seattle) and Kellen Winslow (1979–1986/San Diego).

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Chapter 1: Greatest Moments

Gronkowski has become a favorite target of future Hall of Fame quarterback Tom Brady. Through the end of the 2017 season, he has 405 receptions for 6,095 yards, and 69 touchdown catches. He is a member of four AFC Championship teams (2011, 2014, 2016 and 2017) and two Super Bowl Championship teams (XLIX and LI); he is also on pace to becoming enshrined in Canton, OH, as one of the best to play the position.

ROB GRONKOWSKI’S CAREER HIGHLIGHTS

In his first eight seasons Gronkowski has accomplished the following feats playing tight end for the New England Patriots: • Set the single season NFL record for tight ends in 2011 with 1,327 receiving yards and 18 touchdowns. • First tight end to lead the NFL in scoring with 108 points in 2011. • Most double-digit touchdowns as a tight end in anNFL season: 2010 (10 touchdowns); 2011 (18 touchdowns); 2012 (11 touchdowns); 2014 (12 touchdowns); and, 2015 (11 touchdowns). • Appeared in three of four Super Bowls as a member of the New England Patriots: Super Bowl XLVI (a February 5, 2012, loss to the New York Giants, 21-17); Super Bowl XLIX (a February 1, 2015, win over the defending Super Bowl champion • Seattle Seahawks, 28–24); and Super Bowl LII ( a February 4, 2018, loss to the Philadelphia Eagles, 41-33). Gronkowski did not play in the Patriots 34–28 overtime Super Bowl victory over the Atlanta Falcons on February 5, 2017, due to injury. • Appeared in five NFL Pro Bowls (2011, 2012, 2014, 2015 and 2017). • Named to four NFL First Team All-Pro teams (2011, 2014, 2015 and 2017).

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Gridiron Greats: Pro Football’s Best Players

Gronkowski’s Greatest Career Moments

HERE IS A LIST OF SOME OF THE CAREER FIRSTS AND GREATEST ACHIEVEMENTS BY ROB GRONKOWSKI DURING HIS TIME IN THE NFL.

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Chapter 1: Greatest Moments

FIRST RECEIVING TOUCHDOWN Gronkowski made his first NFL reception in his first game against the Cincinnati Bengals on September 12, 2010. The result? A 1-yard touchdown catch to increase the Patriots lead to 37–17, on the way to an eventual 38–24 victory.

Gronkowski receiving a 1-yard touchdown pass from quar- terback Tom Brady in a September 12, 2010, game against the Cincinnati Bengals, his first game and touchdown catch as a pro.

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Gridiron Greats: Pro Football’s Best Players

FIRST 100-YARD RECEIVING GAME Gronkowski finished his first professional season by recording the first 100-yard reception game in his career. He caught six passes for a total of 102 receiving yards and a touchdown, as the Patriots defeated division foe Miami by the score of 38–7, completing a 14–2 season.

In the final regular season game of his first professional season on January 2, 2011, Gronkowski had 6 receptions for 102 yards and one touchdown in a 38–7 win over division rivals, the Miami Dolphins, including this 13-yard, 1st-quarter touchdown catch for the game’s first score.

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Chapter 1: Greatest Moments

FIRST MULTIPLE TOUCHDOWN GAME Three of Gronkowski’s 5 receptions and 53 of his 72 yards in a November 14, 2010, game against the Pittsburgh Steelers resulted in touchdowns from Tom Brady, the first time in his career that he scored multiple touchdowns in a game.

Gronkowski catches three touchdown passes of 9, 19, and 25 yards to help the Patriots fend off the Pittsburgh Steelers in a game on November 14, 2010.

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Gridiron Greats: Pro Football’s Best Players

FIRST 1,000-YARD RECEIVING SEASON Rob Gronkowski improved upon his stats from his first NFL season by following up with a record-setting 1,327 receiving yards in year two. He became the first tight end in NFL history to lead all pass receivers (wide receivers, tight ends and running backs) in yards for a season.

In his second professional season, Rob Gronkowski finished the year with 1,327 receiving yards to lead all tight ends in the NFL. Here is Gronkowski on a 17-yard touchdown play as part of his 8-reception, 108-yard performance in a 49–21 victory over the Buffalo Bills on January 1, 2012.

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Chapter 1: Greatest Moments

FIRST 100-YARD RECEIVING PLAYOFF GAME Gronkowski was on the Patriots team that lost to the New York Giants in the 2012 Super Bowl. On the way to the Super Bowl, he notched his first game with 100 or more yards receiving in the playoffs. Facing the Denver Broncos on January 14, 2012, Gronkowski caught the ball 10 times for 145 yards in a 45–10 victory in the AFC divisional round.

Gronkowski appeared in his second divisional playoff game and caught 10 passes for 145 yards, (an average of 14.5 yards per catch) in a January 14, 2012, win against the Denver Broncos. Here is one of his 10 catches, a 19-yard touchdown grab in the second quarter.

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Gridiron Greats: Pro Football’s Best Players