Gino Gradkowski

Gino Gradkowski (born November 5, 1988) is a former American football center. He played college football at the University of Delaware. He was drafted by the Baltimore Ravens in the fourth round of the 2012 NFL Draft.

Gino Gradkowski
refer to caption
Gradkowski with the Jets in 2018
No. 66, 75
Position:Center
Personal information
Born: (1988-11-05) November 5, 1988
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, U.S.
Height:6 ft 3 in (1.91 m)
Weight:300 lb (136 kg)
Career information
High school:Seton-La Salle Catholic
(Mt. Lebanon, Pennsylvania)
College:Delaware
NFL Draft:2012 / Round: 4 / Pick: 98
Career history
 * Offseason and/or practice squad member only
Career highlights and awards
Career NFL statistics
Games played:60
Games started:20
Player stats at NFL.com · PFR

College career

Gradkowski played college football as a guard and a center. He began his career playing for West Virginia University. He later transferred to the University of Delaware.[1] He started all fifteen games as a junior.[2]

Professional career

Baltimore Ravens

Gradkowski was drafted in the fourth round (98th overall) of the 2012 NFL Draft by the Baltimore Ravens.[3][4] In his first season with the team, the Ravens won Super Bowl XLVII.[5] The game's MVP was Joe Flacco, who was also a transfer to the Delaware Blue Hens. With the retirement of Matt Birk following the 2012 season, Gradkowski became the starting center for the Ravens.[6]

Denver Broncos

Gradkowski was traded to the Denver Broncos on April 1, 2015, for draft picks.[7] He was waived by the Broncos on September 6.[8]

Atlanta Falcons

Gradkowski was picked up off waivers by the Atlanta Falcons on September 7, 2015.[9]

Carolina Panthers

On March 10, 2016, Gradkowski signed a three-year, $3.15 million free agent contract with the Carolina Panthers. He also received a $400,000 signing bonus with $450,000 guaranteed. With Pro Bowler Ryan Kalil starting at center, Gradkowski would act as the backup center and guard.[10] When Kalil left with a shoulder injury in Week 11, Gradkowski became the starting center the next week before suffering a knee injury later that game. Both Gradkowski and Kalil were placed on injured reserve on November 29, 2016.[11]

On September 2, 2017, Gradkowski was placed on injured reserve.[12] He was released on September 8, 2017.

New York Jets

On August 15, 2018, Gradkowski signed with the New York Jets.[13] He was released on August 31, 2018.[14]

Denver Broncos (second stint)

On November 12, 2018, Gradkowski signed with the Denver Broncos following an injury to Matt Paradis.[15]

Personal life

Gradkowski is the younger brother of former NFL quarterback Bruce Gradkowski.[16]

References
  1. "Gino Gradkowski combine stats and more". NFLDraftScout.com. Retrieved August 15, 2012.
  2. "Ravens' fourth-round pick Gino Gradkowski at a glance." The Baltimore Sun. Retrieved July 15, 2012.
  3. "2012 NFL Draft Listing". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved May 14, 2023.
  4. "Ravens draft Delaware guard Gradkowski in Round 4". The Baltimore Sun. Retrieved July 15, 2012.
  5. "Super Bowl XLVII - San Francisco 49ers vs. Baltimore Ravens - February 3rd, 2013". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved November 8, 2017.
  6. Jhabvala, Nicki (April 24, 2016). "Gino Gradkowski is eager to jump-start career with Broncos". The Denver Post. Retrieved January 15, 2018.
  7. Swanson, Ben (April 1, 2015). "Broncos acquire Gino Gradkowski from Ravens". Denver Broncos. Archived from the original on February 6, 2017. Retrieved September 7, 2015.
  8. Legwold, Jeff (September 6, 2015). "Montee Ball one of two players waived after Broncos' additions". ESPN. Retrieved September 6, 2015.
  9. "Falcons Awarded C Gradkowski Off Of Waivers". Atlanta Falcons. September 7, 2015. Archived from the original on January 13, 2017.
  10. "Gino Gradkowski player contract". Spotrac.com. Retrieved March 23, 2016.
  11. Henson, Max (November 29, 2016). "Ryan Kalil, Gino Gradkowski placed on IR". Panthers.com. Archived from the original on September 13, 2017.
  12. Henson, Max (September 2, 2017). "Panthers trim roster to 53". Panthers.com. Archived from the original on September 20, 2017.
  13. Allen, Eric (August 15, 2018). "Jets Place Veteran T Ben Ijalana on Injured Reserve". NewYorkJets.com.
  14. Lange, Randy (August 31, 2018). "Jets Cut 18 Players on Their Way to 53-Player Active Roster". NewYorkJets.com.
  15. DiLalla, Aric (November 12, 2018). "Broncos place C Matt Paradis on IR, sign C Gino Gradkowski". DenverBroncos.com.
  16. "Steelers sign Pittsburgh native Bruce Gradkowski to backup Roethlisberger". Fox News Channel. March 13, 2013. Retrieved September 14, 2013.
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