Robert James Gronkowski (born May 14, 1989) is an American football tight end for the New England Patriots of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football at Arizona, winning several awards, including being named a Sporting News and Rivals.com freshman All-American. The Patriots drafted Gronkowski in the second round of the 2010 NFL Draft with the 42nd pick. In 2011, Gronkowski set the single-season record for touchdowns by a tight end with 17 receiving touchdowns (and 18 overall), as well as the single-season record for receiving yards by a tight end, with 1,327. That season, he became the first tight end in NFL history to lead the league in receiving touchdowns. In his first six seasons, he had 68 receiving touchdowns; only two tight ends in NFL history have had more in their entire careers (Tony Gonzalez and Antonio Gates). He has achieved five Pro Bowl selections and five All-Pro selections, and was a starter in the Patriots' Super Bowl XLIX victory. Gronkowski is frequently referred to by his nickname "Gronk", derived from his last name.