Future Hall of Famer Rob Gronkowski was among the many who were shocked when second-seeded Arizona lost to No. 15 Princeton in the first round of the Division I NCAA Tournament on Thursday.
Unlike most, however, "Gronk" has a personal connection to the Wildcats athletics program, as the former NFL tight end spent three years at the University of Arizona from 2007 to 2009. The five-time Pro Bowler played just two seasons with the Wildcats in 2007 and 2008, before missing his junior campaign due to injury.
Wildcat for life, we’ll be back ⬇️ https://t.co/eANVBoetaW
— Rob Gronkowski (@RobGronkowski) March 17, 2023
Gronkowski was in attendance for Tom Brady's Autograph "unofficial retirement party" on Thursday night and looked to be informed of the stunning news by fellow Arizona fans (judging by the "we" comment in the video) on his way into the event.
Despite only playing 22 games and two seasons for the Wildcats, Gronkowski racked up 75 receptions for 1,197 receiving yards and 16 touchdowns in college. He led the entire Pac-10 with his 10 receiving scores in 2008.
Princeton's stunner over Arizona was just the 11th time in the tournament's history that a No. 15 seed defeated a No. 2 seed. The rarity has become more common lately though, as this is now the third straight year where a 15-seed knocked off a two-seed, following Oral Roberts' win over Ohio State in 2021 and Saint Peter's victory against Kentucky in 2022.
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