Patriots Country

'Already In Trouble!': Patriots Ex Rob Gronkowski Tells Scary NFL Draft Debut

It didn't take long for former New England Patriots tight end Rob Gronkowski to realize there are no exceptions to the "Patriot Way."

Jon Alfano

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Rob Gronkowski is famously one of the biggest personalities in the NFL, seemingly never having a worry in the world and always looking for a good time.

However, it didn't take long at all for Gronkowski to realize that he may need to put on a slightly more serious face, precisely five minutes after entering the league. During an appearance on Apple TV's documentary The Dynasty: New England Patriots, Gronkowski recalled how the Patriots scolded him mere minutes after selecting him No. 42 overall in the 2010 NFL Draft.

Patriots - Gronk

"They said, 'Hey, Rob. You can get off the stage now,'" Gronkowski said. "'Enough is enough.'"

"And I'm sitting there like, 'Wow, I'm already in trouble! It's been five minutes since I've been on the Patriots and I'm already in trouble!'"

The Patriots notoriously ran a tight ship under former coach Bill Belichick, so it's no surprise that they wanted Gronkowski the party animal to rein it in.

Despite a poor first impression, which also included falling asleep on the floor at his pre-draft meeting, Gronkowski proved to be a crucial part of the Patriots' offense for nearly a decade. Over nine seasons in New England, he caught 79 touchdowns in the regular season and earned four first-team All-Pro selections, as well as Comeback Player of the Year honors in 2014. He was also a monster in the postseason, catching 12 touchdowns in 16 playoff games while helping the Patriots win three Super Bowls.

After retiring in 2019, Gronkowski returned the following year to follow legendary quarterback Tom Brady to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. The dynamic duo picked up right where they left off in Foxboro as Gronkowski played a key part in the Buccaneers' Super Bowl LV victory.

WATCH: Patriots' Legend Brady Beats 40-Yard Dash From 2000

From having to be reined in at the draft to becoming arguably the greatest tight end of all time, Gronkowski's NFL journey is truly one of a kind.

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Jon Alfano
JON ALFANO

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