Gronk’s mom in Estero happy to have son closer to home

Rob Gronkowski is on track to be one of the first players to compete in the Super Bowl on his home turf.

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers have to beat the Green Bay Packers to move on to match-up in Tampa.

His mom Diane Gronkowski couldn’t be happier with how this year turned out. Gronk is looking to win his fourth Super Bowl ring.

But, Diane has already won with more quality time for the first time during the season.
Her Estero home is filled with memories from Little League all the way to the Super Bowl.

This season has been especially memorable because her superstar son plays just two hours away.

“You’re watching him on TV and you know they’re far away. And it’s like 12 hours later he’s in your living room,” Diane said.

Now, there is less travel time and more togetherness, something that was impossible when he played in New England.

“Alone time with your son when they’re so famous is very tough to do,” Diane said. “You hardly ever get to see them. And then when you do, there’s usually a lot of people around.”

Now that he plays with Tampa Bay, the mother and son have created a weekly routine. When he plays at home, she goes to the games. During away games, after his flight back to Florida, he returns home for a home-cooked meal.

“He’ll be in the car and he’ll say, ‘Hey mom, I’m coming to see you and let’s have this for dinner and this for dinner and this for dinner,” she said.

Watching her son play is enjoyable but the small moments are the highlights, she said.

“We were walking around and we stopped and we were watching him and all of a sudden he looked up and saw me standing there and he waved and I was like how did he see me,” she said. “There’s all these people here. I didn’t ever think he looked up into the stands when he was warming up.”

Now that Gronk and the Bucs are one win away from the Super Bowl, Diane has the same pep talk for her son.

“Good luck and have fun,” she said.