On December 31, 2025, as confetti rained down over Times Square and millions tuned in for the annual New Year’s Rockin’ Eve broadcast, Rob Gronkowski stood front and center as one of the night’s co-hosts. Yet, amid the bright lights and revelry, a quieter story captured the curiosity of fans: the enduring relationship between the former NFL star and his longtime girlfriend, Camille Kostek. Their partnership, spanning over a decade, has weathered the spotlight, the rigors of professional sports, and the scrutiny of public opinion—offering a glimpse into a love story that’s as unconventional as it is resilient.
According to People and The New York Post, Gronkowski first met Kostek in 2013 at an off-field charity event during Thanksgiving week. At the time, Gronkowski was making headlines as a tight end for the New England Patriots, while Kostek was a rookie cheerleader for the same team. The initial spark came with a playful gesture: Gronkowski tore off his “Hi My name is Rob Gronkowski” sticker, scrawled his phone number on the back, and—after some encouragement from a teammate—handed it to Kostek. “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,” Kostek recalled on SiriusXM’s This Is Happening with Mark Zito and Ryan Sampson.
But the budding romance had its complications. As Kostek explained during a live taping of Kristin Cavallari’s Let’s Be Honest tour, relationships between cheerleaders and players were frowned upon by the organization. “The football players don’t get in trouble, but the cheerleaders get kicked off the team,” she said, noting that such rules may no longer be in place. To protect her position, the couple kept their relationship under wraps for two years, relying on FaceTime and quiet moments away from prying eyes. “Honestly, when people ask, like, ‘What’s the recipe to success with this relationship?’ It was really dating behind closed doors for two years. Rob is my best friend,” Kostek shared, according to StyleCaster.
Despite the secrecy and the pressures of Gronkowski’s demanding career, the couple’s bond only grew stronger. They made it a tradition to celebrate their anniversary every Thanksgiving week, a nod to their fateful meeting during football’s busiest time. “We celebrate the anniversary annually every year throughout the whole Thanksgiving week, seeing our families and feasting on some delicious food,” Gronkowski told People. He admitted that football season made it harder to mark the occasion, but Thanksgiving became their perfect go-to celebration.
Their journey hasn’t been without its bumps. In 2017, the couple briefly split—a period that Kostek described as both painful and transformative. “First breakup was in 2017, but I think that some of the best things that changed the trajectory of my life came from this (expletive) breakup that broke me but also allowed me to get in the zone. I didn’t care about dating. I felt like I was asexual,” she told The New York Post. Kostek credits that time apart for helping her rediscover herself and refocus on her own goals, a sentiment echoed by Gronkowski, who has often spoken about how Kostek helped him become the best version of himself. “There has been a lot of success in that decade and it just keeps continuing,” Gronkowski said to The New York Post. “And I wouldn’t be where I am without her right now. So gotta ask her how she got me to this point because she can only explain it to the best, how she got the best out of me. She’s got a funny story behind that.”
Kostek, now a successful Sports Illustrated swimsuit model, has often found herself in the public eye—sometimes for reasons that have little to do with her own achievements. She’s been candid about feeling judged by other NFL partners, or “WAGs,” for not having a ring on her finger despite her long-term relationship with Gronkowski. “I felt like I was seen as a lesser-than girlfriend because I didn’t have a ring on my finger,” she revealed on Kristin Cavallari’s Honestly Cavallari: The Headline Tour, as reported by The New York Post. But she’s quick to point out the irony in those judgments. “But you want to know what’s so interesting about that? The woman that’s coming to mind [who] judged me the most, she’s divorced.”
Over the years, Kostek has amassed over a million followers on Instagram, where she shares both glamorous modeling shots and candid moments with Gronkowski. As recently as November 2025, she posted a photo of the two together, captioned “Patriot for life.” In May, she celebrated his birthday with another heartfelt post: “I love doing life with you ❤️ happy birthday my love @gronk.” These glimpses into their private life reveal a couple that, despite fame and busy schedules, remains deeply connected. “I think that’s the beauty of it,” Kostek told People. “Rob’s been busy running around. He just met me here [in New York City]. He flew in today from L.A. and we spent the day doing some stuff honoring the families of 9/11.”
Gronkowski’s respect for Kostek’s role in his life is unwavering. Regarded as one of the greatest NFL tight ends in history, he attributes much of his success to her support. “I wouldn’t be where I am without her right now,” he told The New York Post. It’s a sentiment that resonates with many fans who see their relationship as a partnership built on mutual respect, sacrifice, and a shared sense of humor.
As Gronkowski stepped into the television spotlight for New Year’s Eve 2025, his relationship with Kostek continued to intrigue and inspire. Their story is a reminder that love doesn’t always follow a conventional script. Whether it’s the secret FaceTime calls, the Thanksgiving celebrations, or the public declarations of support, Gronkowski and Kostek have found a way to make their relationship thrive in the face of challenges—on and off the field.
With a decade behind them and no wedding bells yet, the couple seems content to define their own path. As Kostek summed up, “Rob and I met when I was 21 years old, and we’ve been in each other’s lives for 10 years.” Their journey, marked by loyalty, reinvention, and plenty of laughter, continues to unfold—one Thanksgiving at a time.
