Former New England Patriots star Rob Gronkowski discusses his dream card pulls, noting the resurgence of trading card collecting as the latest pastime for many.
“I’ve been in the collecting game since I was a kid,” Gronkowski told FOX Business. “Trading card collecting was huge at its peak, dipped a bit, and now it’s back at a super peak.”
Rob Gronkowski #87 of the New England Patriots watches from the sidelines in a game against the Buffalo Bills at New Era Field on Oct. 30, 2016, in Buffalo, New York. (Tom Szczerbowski/Getty Images)
I grew up collecting baseball and NHL cards—that’s how I started. Those were my favorite hobbies before the NFL spotlight took center stage.”
In a recent appearance at The National Sports Collectors Convention on Aug. 1, Gronkowski teamed up with eBay Live to launchpy “Gronk Geeks Out.” The new series follows the 37‑year‑old as he dives headfirst into the world of collecting, exploring its nuances and history.
One of Gronkowski’s close friends was a passionate collector during his playing days, consistently purchasing their friend’s cards on eBay for years. “He said he still has around a hundred of my cards, all bought from eBay, and that their value has increased since then,” he recalled.
Founders FFC tight end Rob Gronkowski during the Fanatics Flag Football Classic at BMO Stadium in Los Angeles, California, on March 21, 2026. (Kirby Lee/Imagn Images)
“I would love to pull a rare single, or even a number one‑of‑ten Michael Jordan card, it would be absolutely legendary,” Gronkowski said. “I’m not sure if such cards are still available, but a numbered Michael Jordan pull would be my ultimate dream.”
New England Patriots tight end Rob Gronkowski (87) gains yards after a catch during the first half of an AFC divisional playoff game against the Kansas City Chiefs at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, Massachusetts, on Jan. 15, 2016. (The Providence Journal/Bob Breidenbach)
