The Gronkowski Bowl: Rob Gronkowski vs. Chris Gronkowski

Just Gronk being Gronk. Photo by s_bukley / Shutterstock.com

Yesterday’s Patriots win over the Broncos, 31-21, was billed as the big meeting between franchise QBs Tom Brady and Peyton Manning. With the victory, Brady tallies his ninth triumph over the older Manning in 13 meetings, but this wasn’t the only rivalry on display. Not even close. That’s right—it was time for the first annual Gronkowski Bowl.

Here in New England, we’re all quite familiar with Rob Gronkowski, but Chris Gronkowski has been a fullback for the Denver Broncos since May. Though there was a chance they’d meet during last year’s season when the Pats played the Colts, Chris was sidelined due to an injury. Yesterday’s game in Foxborough marks the first meet-up in the NFL between the two, and we walked away knowing one thing’s for certain: These two Gronkowski brothers make up one of the most interesting sets of brothers on—and more so off—the field.

2012 on-field stats (to date):
Although Rob is a star player in the Patriots offense, Chris is the opposite, although he is the Broncos’ No. 1 fullback (mainly because he is the team’s only fullback). Chris also spends a lot of time on special teams, as does brother Rob. Here’s how the stack up:

Chris Gronkowski:
Receiving:1 rec, 11 yards, 0 TD
Rushing: 0 rushes
Kick returns: 1 return, 0 yards
Fumbles: 0 fumbles

Rob Gronkowski:
Receiving: 23 recs, 295 yards, 3 TDs
Rushing: 0 rushes
Kick returns: 1 return, 0 yards
Fumbles: 1 fumble, -1 yards

Off the field
Even though Rob’s the star, the Amherst, New York, natives are always up to something. Fun fact: Rounding out the Gronkowski clan is baseball player Gordie Gronkowski, former Patriot TE Dan Gronkowski, and the youngest, Kansas State freshman Glenn Gronkowski.

Chris: Although not under the constant spotlight, Chris is generally quieter than Rob. That doesn’t mean he isn’t known for some shenanigans, like enjoying a good party and getting caught doing wheel-barrels down the ESPY red carpet with his brothers.

Rob: There are his ads for Dunkin’ Donuts; the covers for national magazines; the party pictures; that pic with now-retired porn-star Bibi Jones. His motto is “Yo Soy Fiesta” (the family trademarked motto that translates to “I am the party”). The man is willing to say anything to the media, but that’s more for entertaining his brothers than anything else. (Need more proof? See the Sports Illustrated interview.)

Social Media
It would only be right that the brothers have a Twitter presence, which is best used for some trash talk before the game.

Chris: With his 17,000 followers, the elder Gronkowski always uses whatever chance he can get to promote the family attire of choice—Zubaz Pants.

Such a nice day out, never knew it was so hot in Denver in October, good thing @zubaz makes shorts.

— Chris Gronkowski (@Chrisgronkowski) October 2, 2012

Rob: With more than 300,000 followers, Rob has used his fame to promote charitable dealings through hashtags. He also enjoys reliving the good times with his bros, genetic and social alike.

#ThrowbackThursday I know @gordiegronk will like this 1!@chrisgronkowski & I chilling freshman year in college! hehe twitter.com/RobGronkowski/… — Rob Gronkowski (@RobGronkowski) October 5, 2012

Education
Four out of the five Gronkowski brothers all studied some sort of business major, probably coinciding with the fact that their dad, Gordon Gronkowski, owns a national chain of fitness centers:

Chris: Studied accounting at the University of Arizona, after transferring from University of Maryland. According to his own assessment, he is the smartest of the brothers.

Rob: Studied pre-business at the University of Arizona. A solid student, he was the recipient of UA’s Student Athlete of the month in April 2008.