Mark Gronowski’s name jumps off Iowa’s roster for obvious reasons. The quarterback’s surname sounds familiar to anyone who watched Rob Gronkowski dominate the NFL for over a decade. But are these two football stars actually family?
Are Mark Gronowski and Rob Gronkowski Related?
Despite fans’ curiosity, Gronowski and Gronkowski are not related. The confusion arises from their names sounding similar and their playing football at the highest levels; however, their spellings and family backgrounds are entirely different.
The key difference is in the spelling. Mark’s last name is Gronowski with one ‘k’, while Rob’s is Gronkowski with two ‘k’s. These are actually separate Polish family names, not just different spellings of the same name.
Gronowski comes from Naperville, Illinois. His parents are Ray and Deborah Gronowski, and he was born in 2001. Ray played quarterback at Drake University back in the 1980s, which sparked Mark’s interest in football.
Mark has a sister named Sarah, who played softball at Butler University, and a brother, Ryan, who competes in the Special Olympics despite having epilepsy.
Gronkowski, on the other hand, comes from the well-known Gronkowski family in New York. He was born in 1989 to Gordon Sr. and Diane Walters. Rob is one of five brothers, all of whom became professional athletes. Four of them made it to the NFL, while the eldest brother pursued a career in professional baseball.
What’s Mark Gronowski’s College Career Like?
Mark Gronowski built an impressive resume at South Dakota State before transferring to Iowa. The two-time FCS national champion led the nation in passing efficiency (179.67) during his 2023 Walter Payton Award-winning season. He scored over 30 touchdowns from scrimmage in each of his final three seasons with the Jackrabbits.
That success drew attention from bigger programs and NFL scouts. When coach Jimmy Rogers left South Dakota State for Washington State, Gronowski had to decide his next move. He chose Iowa over entering the 2025 NFL Draft despite receiving a combine invitation
Now at the Big Ten level, Gronowski is trying to show that his FCS dominance can work against tougher competition. He struggled in his first two games, with just 44 passing yards against Albany and 83 yards versus Iowa State, before bouncing back against UMass on September 13, completing 16 of 24 passes for 179 yards and two touchdowns.
Overall, Gronowski has completed 37 of 63 passes (58.7%) for 306 yards, three touchdowns, and one interception while adding 88 rushing yards and three rushing touchdowns. The numbers show the dual-threat ability that attracted NFL scouts, even as he adjusts to Big Ten defenses.
Pro Football Network’s Jacob Infante highlighted Gronowski’s potential in June, praising his “ideal arm strength” and dual-threat ability, which make him an intriguing prospect for the 2026 draft class.
Iowa vs Rutgers preview and why I believe Mark Gronowski will be the #Hawkeyes X-Factor Friday night! #Rutgers #BigTen #CFP #CollegeFootball
Listen to the new @MediaRowPod here: https://t.co/NIsec6gNwE pic.twitter.com/d3Zk1ck0oD
— Justin Miller (@Justin_cMiller) September 19, 2025
While the name similarity creates natural comparisons, Mark Gronowski and Rob Gronkowski represent different football eras and family trees. Gronowski faces his first Big Ten test Friday at 8 p.m., where his adaptation will determine whether he can carry his FCS dominance into Power Four success.
