Rob Gronkowski, former NFL star and legendary tight end, recently revealed that he made a seemingly random investment in Apple back in 2014—a move that would later turn into one of the best financial decisions of his life. Gronkowski invested $69,000 in Apple stock on the advice of his contractor, without knowing much about the stock market or how it worked at the time.
In 2014, Gronkowski was playing for the New England Patriots alongside Tom Brady, while also overseeing the construction of a new house in Foxborough. It wasn’t just architectural guidance that Gronkowski was receiving from his contractor; he was also getting financial advice. The contractor kept recommending that Gronkowski invest in Apple, repeatedly emphasizing the potential of the tech giant.
“Every time I saw him, when we were building the house, he kept saying, ‘Get Apple. Get Apple,'” Gronkowski told Fortune. “So after the 50th time, I got it. And let me tell you, it’s the best investment I’ve ever had in my life. I had never been involved in stocks. I really didn’t know how stocks work.”
Known for his playful personality and fun-loving nature, Gronkowski decided to invest $69,000—an amount that was partly a joke, fitting his humorous character. “Obviously this just fits along the lines of just me being myself; I’m going to put $69,000 into Apple stock,” he recalled. He contacted his financial advisor with the request, explaining, “My own money, with no advice like this, just from the guy who built my house here in the New England area.”
Incredibly, after making the investment, Gronkowski completely forgot about it for the next two years. It wasn’t until 2016 that he rediscovered the Apple stocks in his portfolio, and to his surprise, the initial $69,000 investment had grown significantly, reaching a value of $250,000. Recognizing the value of his contractor’s advice, Gronkowski decided to sell a portion of the stock while keeping some for the long term. That decision turned out to be yet another wise move, as his Apple stock continued to grow.
“Now to this day, I have over $600,000 in Apple stock, all because of the investment I made in 2014, having no idea what I was doing but just listening to the guy that built my house here in New England,” Gronkowski shared. “Let me tell you, he built my house, and he gave all the money back to me by telling me to invest in Apple.”
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Gronkowski’s experience is a testament to the value of listening to sound advice, even when it comes from unexpected places.
His contractor’s persistent encouragement led Gronkowski to make an investment that would ultimately pay off in a big way, significantly contributing to his wealth. Today, Gronkowski continues to hold on to a substantial portion of his Apple stock, which remains a valuable asset in his portfolio.
Throughout his 11-year NFL career, Gronkowski was known for his skill on the field, winning four Super Bowl titles—three with the Patriots and one with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, again alongside his longtime teammate Tom Brady.
But off the field, Gronkowski demonstrated financial discipline that set him apart from many of his peers. In his 2015 book, “It’s Good to Be Gronk,” he revealed that he rarely touched the money he earned from his playing career, instead choosing to live off his endorsement deals with major brands like Dunkin’ Donuts and T-Mobile.
“To this day, I still haven’t touched one dime of my signing bonus or NFL contract money,” Gronkowski wrote in his book. “I live off my marketing money and haven’t blown it on any big-money expensive cars, expensive jewelry, or tattoos, and still wear my favorite pair of jeans from high school.” His frugal approach to spending and his decision to invest wisely have contributed to his current estimated wealth of $45 million.
Now 35 years old, Gronkowski has transitioned into a successful post-NFL career that includes working in sports media and investing in various ventures, including fitness apparel brands. His financial acumen, combined with his larger-than-life personality, has allowed him to continue thriving long after his playing days.
And it all started with a $69,000 investment in Apple—a decision made on a whim, but one that ultimately became a cornerstone of his financial success.
Gronkowski’s story serves as a reminder that sometimes the best advice can come from unexpected sources, and even a playful decision can lead to substantial rewards.
Whether catching touchdowns on the field or making savvy investments off of it, Rob Gronkowski continues to prove that he’s more than just a football star—he’s also a savvy investor who knows how to make the most of opportunities that come his way.
