- Rob Gronkowski and Camille Kostek met at a Goodwill charity event in November 2013
- Gronkowski was playing for the Patriots, and Kostek was a Patriots cheerleader at the time
- They went public with their relationship in September 2015
- Gronkowski (now retired) and Kostek have talked about getting engaged since 2023
Rob Gronkowski and Camille Kostek have one of the sweetest relationships in sports.
The NFL player and the Sports Illustrated Swimsuit model first crossed paths when he was a tight end and she was a cheerleader for the New England Patriots. Despite sharing a stadium during Patriots games, however, the pair didn’t actually meet until they were off the field at a charity event in 2013.
“He ripped off his ‘Hi My name is Rob Gronkowski’ sticker on his T-shirt. He had written on the back of it his phone number,” Kostek recalled on SiriusXM’s This Is Happening with Mark Zito and Ryan Sampson. According to the model, Gronkowski’s teammate had given her his number. “I was a rookie. I was like, ‘Oh no, no, no, I can’t take this. I can’t take his number.’ And then [his teammate] was like, ‘Just take it,’ and I was like, ‘Okay,’ and I put it in my pocket. And I never spoke about it again.”
She later FaceTimed the tight end, and the two quickly struck up a romance, though it would be a few years before the couple took their relationship public. The pair made their red carpet debut in 2016 and have been supporting each other on and off the field ever since.
Here is the complete timeline of Rob Gronkowski and Camille Kostek’s relationship.
November 2013: Rob Gronkowski and Camille Kostek meet at a charity event
Gronkowski and Kostek met at a Goodwill charity event in 2013 when they were filling turkey baskets for families in need.
“Camille and I met during Thanksgiving week. Therefore, I am very thankful for the charity event we met at,” Gronkowski later told PEOPLE of the pair’s introduction.
At the time, Kostek was a Patriots cheerleader and Gronkowski was in his third season with the team. Kostek worried that she could be breaking a rule by dating a player, so after Gronkowski’s teammate gave her his number, she decided to keep the exchange to herself.
“I didn’t make it locker room talk. I never spoke about it. Some of my captains now are probably like, ‘Girl, what?’ So, and then I just sat on it for a couple of days and then I FaceTimed him,” she later explained on SiriusXM’s This Is Happening with Mark Zito and Ryan Sampson.
September 2015: Rob Gronkowski and Camille Kostek go public with their relationship
Gronkowski and Kostek kept their romance quiet for the first two years, but in September 2015, PEOPLE reported that they were an item after Kostek was spotted cheering the tight end on in the stands at one of his games. After participating in a pre-game performance on the field, Kostek then watched the game from the stands and in a club suite, where she gathered with some of Gronkowski’s family.
That same month, Gronkowski made his debut on Kostek’s Instagram when she posted a sweet photo of the couple with the caption, “Friday night date night.”
July 2016: Rob Gronkowski and Camille Kostek make their red carpet debut
Gronkowski and Kostek walked arm in arm down the red carpet at Nickelodeon’s Kids’ Choice Sports Awards in July 2016, which marked their public debut as a couple.
May 2019: Camille Kostek discusses Rob Gronkowski’s retirement from football
After the NFL star announced his retirement from football in March 2019, Kostek opened up about her boyfriend’s decision during an interview with Extra. The model said that Gronkowski might “convince himself” to return to the sport, adding that the tight end is “someone who likes to mess around.”
“I think he is messing with everybody, then again he stumps me all the time so who knows?” she said. “He could be pulling this out of the woodwork at some time. I would love to see him out there, but I am also respecting him taking this time for himself, healing up his body, and enjoying the time off.”
Kostek also touched on Gronkowski’s illustrious career. “It’s been a blast,” she said. “I was cheerleading on the sidelines in the first couple years … I went from cheering him on the sidelines of the Super Bowl to being a proud girlfriend in the crowd to [watching him end] his career on the Super Bowl field … I feel very lucky that I got to be a part his incredible career.”
May 9, 2019: Rob Gronkowski celebrates Camille Kostek’s Sports Illustrated cover
After Kostek landed her first Sports Illustrated Swimsuit cover in 2019, Gronkowski was on hand to celebrate with the model at Irma’s and Wall nightclub at the W South Beach Miami. PEOPLE reported at the time that the tight end acted as Kostek’s personal bodyguard and stood watch at the entrance of her roped-off VIP section. Gronkowski also got behind the DJ booth at the party, and did a series of squats with Kostek on his back.
February 2020: Rob Gronkowski and Camille Kostek open up about their pre-game routine
Gronkowski and Kostek were asked some personal questions by Jenny McCarthy while appearing on her SiriusXM radio show. McCarthy asked the couple if they slept together before Gronkowski’s big games, to which he replied, “I don’t know, sometimes we did it and sometimes, no.”
“The night before games he would have curfew, and so he didn’t get to sleep there, but I would kiss you goodbye, I think!” added Kostek.
When asked if he thought sex would affect his performance on the field, Gronkowski replied, “No, I don’t think so. No.”
“If anything I feel like if we have hooked up before a game, you’d be ready to go and less tense!” Kostek joked.
February 4, 2021: Camille Kostek discusses the engagement ring she wants from Rob Gronkowski
When Kostek appeared on SiriusXM’s This Is Happening with Mark Zito and Ryan Sampson, the hosts asked if she was “looking for a ring.” Kostek hesitated to answer the question, saying that the responsibility was up to Gronkowski. “I’m not the one who gets down on one knee, I’m supposed to be surprised,” she said.
However, Kostek did share that she knows the kind of engagement ring she wants, saying “I do have one, I’m like a very simple, simple girl.”
“I’m hoping that he’s smart enough to ask my friends or my sisters,” she added, noting that the only ring the couple was focused on at that point was a Super Bowl ring.
February 7, 2021: Camille Kostek cheers on Rob Gronkowski at the Super Bowl
Kostek cheered on Gronkowski at Super Bowl LV while wearing a rhinestone-covered jacket that featured the tight end’s name and number. “ROBBY G BABY !!!!” she captioned an Instagram video of her showing off the ensemble.
After Gronkowski and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers won the game, the couple celebrated on the field with the NFL player’s family.
“CANT THINK OF A CAPTION RN IM CELEBRATING,” Kostek wrote alongside a photo of the pair posing with Gronkowski’s mother. She shared another snap of her and Gronkowski kissing as the confetti fell around them with the caption, “Tastes like a champion.”
February 8, 2021: Rob Gronkowski and Camille Kostek visit Disney World after Super Bowl victory
The pair headed to Disney World to celebrate Gronkowski’s Super Bowl win the following day. Kostek posted a photo of the two riding Thunder Mountain on Instagram, along with a video of Gronkowski and his nephew on the Galaxy’s Edge attraction at Disney’s Hollywood Studios theme park.
February 14, 2021: Rob Gronkowski posts a Valentine’s Day tribute to Camille Kostek
Gronkowski celebrated Valentine’s Day with a sweet Instagram tribute to Kostek. “Happy Valentines Day to my baby @camillekostek one of the hardest workers I know, always cheering me on, always caring and always there for anything that I need!” the NFL player wrote along with a series of photos of the couple.
February 2021: Rob Gronkowski and Camille Kostek adopt a dog
To celebrate Gronkowski’s Super Bowl win, the couple adopted a French bulldog named him Ralphie in February 2021. “I told myself if I win the Super Bowl, I got to get a French bulldog, and I won the Super Bowl, so I had to go through with the plans!” Gronkowski told PEOPLE of the pup, who even has his own Instagram page.
Kostek later spoke with SiriusXM’s Mark Zito about their canine companion’s impact on their relationship. When Zito asked if Ralphie ever gets on the bed while the couple is having alone time, Kostek replied, “I feel like it would be more weird if I said no. Listen, animals are people’s shadows. All Frenchie owners who are listening will know, they are your shadow. They do not leave at all!”
July 10, 2021: Rob Gronkowski and Camille Kostek attend the ESPY Awards
Gronkowski was a presenter at the 2021 ESPY Awards, and he enjoyed a date night with Kostek for the occasion. The couple embraced and posed on the red carpet in New York City, where they coordinated with matching black outfits.
July 16, 2021: Camille Kostek says that Rob Gronkowski helps her deal with haters
Kostek told People TV host Kay Adams that Gronkowski has helped her with self-acceptance and taught her how to “deal with haters” throughout their relationship.
“It was just really hard for me to be, like, ‘How could someone think these cruel things about me when they don’t even know who I am?’ And Rob was like, ‘Camille, if I ever let those things get me down, I wouldn’t be able to get out of bed every day and go to work.’ He was, like, ‘You dust that stuff off,’ ” she explained.
August 12, 2021: Rob Gronkowski and Camille Kostek take a couple’s quiz
Kostek and Gronkowski shared more details about their relationship when they took GQ‘s The Couple Quiz and asked each other 37 questions.
Kostek revealed Gronkowski’s hidden talent — juggling — and shared that the tight end’s ideal day includes waking up without an alarm and various wellness treatments (getting a massage, going in an infrared sauna and taking a salt bath). Meanwhile, Gronkowski shared that Kostek’s favorite movie is The Parent Trap, and that the model’s bucket list wish is to compete on Dancing with the Stars. The couple also said that their first kiss happened in front of Gronkowski’s house.
October 21, 2021: Rob Gronkowski shares how he and Camille Kostek celebrate the anniversary of the day they met
Ahead of the eighth anniversary of the day the couple first met, Gronkowski revealed to PEOPLE that the pair celebrates the occasion every year over Thanksgiving weekend.
“We celebrate the anniversary annually every year throughout the whole Thanksgiving week, seeing our families and feasting on some delicious food. During football season, it’s a little bit more difficult to celebrate the wonderful occasion, so Thanksgiving makes it the perfect go-to celebration every time,” he said.
October 31, 2021: Camille Kostek dresses as Rob Gronkowski for Halloween
For Halloween 2021, Kostek dressed up as the football star, wearing his Tampa Bay Buccaneers jersey. She accessorized the costume with black eye grease and Gronkowski’s four Super Bowl rings.
“When football Sunday lands on Halloween, you dress up as the 4x SB Champ Robbie G the one and only 👏🏈🎃 @gronk this jersey smells but you still cute 🤧 also my fingers are sore from holding all of these rings 😅,” Kostek wrote on Instagram along with a photo of her outfit.
April 8, 2022: Rob Gronkowski says Camille Kostek wants him to play another NFL season
After Gronkowski’s Tampa Bay teammate Tom Brady decided to return for another NFL season after initially announcing his retirement, fans began to speculate whether the tight end would play for another year. While Gronkowski had yet to announce his decision at the time, he told PEOPLE in April 2022 that Kostek was in favor of him returning.
“I think she wants me to go back,” he said. “She supports me for sure.”
Gronkowski expressed loyalty to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, stating, “There’s one thing, if I do play football, though, it would definitely be with the Bucs.” He added that Kostek has a similar affinity for the Florida team. “She just loves that team,” he said. “Loves the other wives and girlfriends on the team, too. It’s a great combo over there for sure.”
April 9, 2022: Rob Gronkowski and Camille Kostek attend the Kids’ Choice Awards
Kostek and Gronkowski both had plenty to celebrate at Nickelodeon’s 2022 Kids’ Choice Awards. Gronkowski co-hosted the event, while Kostek’s show Wipeout — which the model hosts — was nominated for best reality show. Kostek shared a photo of the couple from the big night on Instagram, writing that she was a “proud girlfriend in the audience watching Rob put on a funny show for the kids” in the caption.
June 21, 2022: Camille Kostek supports Rob Gronkowski after he announces he’s retiring for the second time
On June 21, 2022, Gronkowski announced that he was retiring from the NFL for a second time. The football star shared the news in a lengthy social media statement, writing in part, “I will now be going back into my retirement home, walking away from football again with my head held high knowing I gave it everything I had, good or bad, every time I stepped out on the field.”
Kostek showed her support for her boyfriend on Instagram, sharing Gronkowski’s message on her own Story and reposting several tributes from other accounts.
She also left a sweet comment on his post, writing, “Dream chasers. I’m always proud of you. Some of the best years of my life have been cheering on and off the field for you! Ily.”
September 30, 2022: Camille Kostek says she respects Rob Gronkowski’s decision to stay retired
Kostek told PEOPLE she’s behind Gronkowski’s decision to retire for a second time. “I support his decision either way,” she said. “Ultimately, football is a very physical sport and we only have one body. We have to take care of it.”
“I know that with his decisions, he leads everything with his heart,” the model added. “I totally respect his wishes to step out.”
She also explained, “There’s definitely benefits of him retiring. It means more time together and being able to take him on the road with me.”
October 31, 2022: Camille Kostek and Rob Gronkowski dress up as Barbie and Ken
Over the summer, Margot Robbie and Ryan Gosling, who play Barbie and Ken in the upcoming Barbie movie, were spotted filming at Venice Beach in neon outfits.
Kostek and Gronkowski decided to replicate the actors’ costumes for Halloween.
“Margot Robbie Barbie is my favorite Barbie so this is my way of expressing exactly that,” Kostek wrote on Instagram. “I was up until 2am the night before we shot this, turning compression elbow and knee pads from target with hot glued neon construction tee shirts by wrangler into a replica of hers.”
The Sports Illustrated model added: “Thank you @gronk for just putting on everything you woke up to on the counter without any complaints and playing the most handsome Ken.”
November 7, 2022: Camille Kostek and Rob Gronkowski attend Spirited movie premiere
The couple attended the New York City premiere of the Apple TV+ Christmas flick, starring Ryan Reynolds and Will Ferrell. Kostek, who shared a video from the red carpet on Instagram, stunned in a pink gown, while Gronkowski looked handsome in a blue plaid suit.
November 22, 2022: Camille Kostek reminisces about meeting Rob Gronkowski for the first time
“9 years ago today we were volunteering at the @patriots Thanksgiving in a Basket event with @goodwillboston where Rob slipped me his number,” Kostek wrote on Instagram. “Yes I broke the @patriotscheerleaders rules at the time and called him up … but it was worth it ❤️❤️❤️❤️.”
Gronkowski responded in the comments: “❤️ you baby! 🔥🔥.”
January 2023: Rob Gronkowski reveals that he and Camille Kostek have talked about getting engaged
Gronkowski shared that he and Kostek “definitely talk about” getting engaged during an interview with PEOPLE. However, he explained that “we’re both super busy with our careers right now.”
“She’s right in the middle of hers, shooting for Sports Illustrated once again, and then we got the Super Bowl,” the retired football pro said.
Still, Gronkowski hinted that Kostek’s birthday and Valentine’s Day both take place shortly after Super Bowl LVII. “Maybe some magic will happen. … [It’s] going to have to eventually happen,” he said.
February 2023: Camille Kostek opens up about Rob Gronkowski’s 2013 injury
During an appearance on the SiriusXM podcast Under The Swimfluence with SI Swimsuit, Kostek revealed that Gronkowski’s 2013 injury helped bring the two closer together.
She was a cheerleader for the New England Patriots at the time, so the accident happened on the field in front of her. “It was like slow motion. I wanted to throw my pom-poms and go on the field and rip his helmet off,” Kostek said.
While she and Gronkowski had only been “dating for less than a month,” when the football star was injured, the supermodel went on to say that Gronkowski’s injury allowed the pair to bond. “I was helping him take his clothes off, helping him bathe, doing things that allowed us to really get close and become very serious very quickly,” she recalled.
May 18, 2023: Rob Gronkowski supports Camille Kostek at Sports Illustrated‘s Swimsuit issue launch
Taylor Hill/WireImage
Gronkowski scored major brownie points when he arrived at Sports Illustrated‘s Swimsuit issue launch event in New York City with a bouquet of roses for Kostek. Before heading inside the Hard Rock Hotel, the couple posed for a few photos on the red carpet.
“Wonderful weekend celebrating my baby being in Sports Illustrated Swimsuit for her 6th year!! Proud of you ❤️,” the former NFL player captioned a series of celebratory images on Instagram.
July 9, 2023: Rob Gronkowski and Camille Kostek attend the Barbie premiere
Axelle/Bauer-Griffin/FilmMagic
Kostek turned heads on the pink carpet at the world premiere of the Barbie movie in Los Angeles. She wore a body-hugging, hot pink dress that was adorned with sequins and feathers, while Gronkowski channeled his inner Ken doll in a black suit.
“yes I flew to LA for one day to go to the Barbie Movie World Premiere and yes it was worth it 🎀👛💕🎬 my inner child is thriving,” the model wrote on Instagram.
February 8, 2024: Rob Gronkowski says he’s not interested in a Las Vegas wedding
While in Las Vegas for Super Bowl LVIII, Gronkowski told PEOPLE that he and Kostek wouldn’t be exchanging vows in a chapel while they were there. According to him, “Vegas is too crazy” for their tastes.
“Not during the Super Bowl right now. There’s too much going on,” he said. “That would have to be more of an intimate setting.”
He added that when it comes to their future wedding, they “both favor being outside of Vegas for a vacation or anything special like that.”
