Carroll Angeles

Gronkowski is long used to feeling hits
By Phil Richards , Indy Star
September 17, 2011
(two pages)
Chris Gronkowski needed no indoctrination on the importance of beating rival New England when the
Indianapolis Colts claimed him off waivers Sept. 4. That was built in.
Gronkowski's brothers -- Rob, an emerging star, and Dan -- both play tight end for the Patriots. The teams'
meeting in Foxborough, Mass., on Dec. 4 will be something of a family reunion. Hugs will be optional.
"I'm sure we'll be texting back and forth, seeing where each other is going to play on special teams since all
of us are on offense," said Chris, a second-year fullback. "Special teams will be the only chance we get to
hit each other."
Hitting is a family tradition. Could it be otherwise?
This is a rawboned, rambunctious bunch. Rob is 6-6, 265 pounds. Dan goes 6-5, 255. Chris is 6-2, 245.
Then there's elder brother Gordie (6-6, 230), a big-hitting first baseman who reached Class A in the Los
Angeles Angels organization before back problems ended his baseball career. Glenn is the "little" little
brother at 6-3, 210; he will play for Kansas State next year.
Imagine that crew in the basement of their Amherst, N.Y., home playing a no-ice, no-rules, no-whistles
game of hockey. To get to the point, one or more brothers body-slammed Chris, who body-slammed Glenn,
who was hauled off to the emergency room with a deep gash in his chin.
"Quite a Christmas Eve," said Chris, whose father, Gordon Sr., played guard at Syracuse University.
More than 300 sets of brothers have played in the NFL, going back to Red and Garland Grange with the
Chicago Bears in 1929-31. The Gronkowskis are the first trio since Brian, Gary and Rich Baldinger, 1986-
92.
How could it not be? The Gronkowskis grew up 20 minutes from the Buffalo Bills' Ralph Wilson Stadium,
dreaming of playing in the NFL.
Chris just never imagined it would be with the Colts.
"I used to watch film of NFL teams and when I came to the Colts, I'd just skip it because they were never in
two-back sets," said Gronkowski, who spent last season with the Dallas Cowboys. "I was kind of surprised
when they called, but going to a good team, it was a good feeling."
Gronkowski is the first fullback to spend significant time on the Colts' regular-season roster since Luke
Lawton in 2007.
Gronkowski signed Sept. 4. Seven days later, he played in short-yardage situations and on the punt and
punt return, kickoff and kickoff return teams in the Colts' season opener at Houston.
On a third-and-1 play during the fourth quarter, Gronkowski lined up in the backfield with 5-9, 225-pound
Delone Carter. It was an impressive show of muscle on the hoof. Gronkowski pinned 6-6, 283-pound
Texans defensive end Mario Williams. Carter blasted up the middle for 3 yards and a first down.
"He's a pretty versatile guy," Colts coach Jim Caldwell said of Gronkowski.