:Gino Gradkowski
{{Short description|American football player (born 1988)}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=January 2019}}
{{Infobox NFL biography
| name = Gino Gradkowski
| image = Gino Gradkowski 2018.jpg
| caption = Gradkowski with the Jets in 2018
| number =
| current_team = Rowan Profs
| position = Offensive coordinator & offensive line coach
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1988|11|5|mf=y}}
| birth_place = Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, U.S.
| height_ft = 6
| height_in = 3
| weight_lbs = 300
| high_school = Seton-La Salle Catholic
(Mt. Lebanon, Pennsylvania)
| college = Delaware
| draftyear = 2012
| draftround = 4
| draftpick = 98
| pastteams =
- Baltimore Ravens ({{NFL Year|2012|2014}})
- Denver Broncos ({{NFL Year|2015}})*
- Atlanta Falcons ({{NFL Year|2015}})
- Carolina Panthers ({{NFL Year|2016}})
- New York Jets ({{NFL Year|2018}})*
- Denver Broncos ({{NFL Year|2018}})
| pastcoaching =
- Rowan (2022)
Assistant offensive line coach - Rowan (2023)
Offensive line coach - St. Louis Battlehawks ({{UFL Year|2024}})
Offensive line coach - Rowan (2024–present)
Offensive coordinator & offensive line coach
| highlights =
| statweek =
| statseason =
| statlabel1 = Games played
| statvalue1 = 60
| statlabel2 = Games started
| statvalue2 = 20
| statlabel3 = Fumble recoveries
| statvalue3 = 1
| pfr = GradGi00
}}
Gino Gradkowski (born November 5, 1988) is an American football coach and former center. He is the offensive coordinator and offensive line coach for Rowan University, positions he has held since 2024. He was recently the offensive line coach for the St. Louis Battlehawks of the United Football League (UFL).{{Cite web |date=2024-02-21 |title=UFL Announces Team Coaching Staffs |url=https://www.theufl.com/news/2024/february/21/ufl-announces-team-coaching-staffs |access-date=2024-02-21 |website=www.theufl.com |language=en}} He played college football at the University of Delaware. He was selected by the Baltimore Ravens in the fourth round of the 2012 NFL draft.
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."[http://www.nfldraftscout.com/ratings/dsprofile.php?pyid=70094&draftyear=2012&genpos=OG Gino Gradkowski combine stats and more]". NFLDraftScout.com. Retrieved August 15, 2012. He started all fifteen games as a junior."[https://www.baltimoresun.com/2012/04/28/ravens-fourth-round-pick-gino-gradkowski-at-a-glance/ Ravens' fourth-round pick Gino Gradkowski at a glance] ." The Baltimore Sun. Retrieved July 15, 2012.
Professional career
{{NFL predraft
| height ft = 6
| height in = 2 3/4
| weight = 300
| dash = 5.25
| ten split = 1.78
| twenty split = 3.03
| shuttle = 4.78
| cone drill = 7.75
| vertical = 28.5
| broad ft = 8
| broad in = 7
| bench = 29
| note = All values from Pro Day{{Cite web |url=https://draftscout.com/dsprofile.php?PlayerId=70094&DraftYear=2012 |title=2012 NFL Draft Scout Gino Gradkowski College Football Profile |website=DraftScout.com |access-date=May 13, 2024}}
}}
=Baltimore Ravens=
Gradkowski was selected in the fourth round (98th overall) of the 2012 NFL draft by the Baltimore Ravens.{{Cite web |title=2012 NFL Draft Listing |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/years/2012/draft.htm |access-date=2023-05-14 |website=Pro-Football-Reference.com |language=en}}"[https://www.baltimoresun.com/2012/04/28/ravens-draft-delaware-guard-gradkowski-in-round-4/ Ravens draft Delaware guard Gradkowski in Round 4] ". The Baltimore Sun. Retrieved July 15, 2012. In his first season with the team, the Ravens won Super Bowl XLVII.{{Cite web |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/201302030sfo.htm |title=Super Bowl XLVII - San Francisco 49ers vs. Baltimore Ravens - February 3rd, 2013 |website=Pro-Football-Reference.com |language=en |access-date=November 8, 2017}} 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.{{cite web| title=Gino Gradkowski is eager to jump-start career with Broncos| url=https://www.denverpost.com/2015/06/14/gino-gradkowski-is-eager-to-jump-start-career-with-broncos/| access-date=January 15, 2018| website=The Denver Post| first=Nicki| last=Jhabvala| date=April 24, 2016}}
=Denver Broncos (first stint)=
Gradkowski was traded to the Denver Broncos on April 1, 2015, for draft picks.{{cite web|first=Ben |last=Swanson |url=http://www.denverbroncos.com/news-and-blogs/article-1/Broncos-acquire-Gino-Gradkowski-from-Ravens/165c5124-91d8-421b-9fa9-28cbe5fa26dd |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170206093234/http://www.denverbroncos.com/news-and-blogs/article-1/Broncos-acquire-Gino-Gradkowski-from-Ravens/165c5124-91d8-421b-9fa9-28cbe5fa26dd |url-status=dead |archive-date=February 6, 2017 |title=Broncos acquire Gino Gradkowski from Ravens |publisher=Denver Broncos |date=April 1, 2015 |access-date=September 7, 2015}} He was waived by the Broncos on September 6.{{cite web|publisher=ESPN|url=https://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/13597928/montee-ball-waived-denver-broncos|title=Montee Ball one of two players waived after Broncos' additions|date=September 6, 2015|first=Jeff|last=Legwold|access-date=September 6, 2015}}
=Atlanta Falcons=
Gradkowski was picked up off waivers by the Atlanta Falcons on September 7, 2015.{{cite web|url=http://www.atlantafalcons.com/news/blog/article-1/Falcons-Awarded-C-Gradkowski-Off-Of-Waivers/30032b2e-43e1-48de-bb32-379453eccd23|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170113142723/http://www.atlantafalcons.com/news/blog/article-1/Falcons-Awarded-C-Gradkowski-Off-Of-Waivers/30032b2e-43e1-48de-bb32-379453eccd23|url-status=dead|archive-date=January 13, 2017|title=Falcons Awarded C Gradkowski Off Of Waivers|publisher=Atlanta Falcons|date=September 7, 2015}}
=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.{{cite web|url=http://www.spotrac.com/nfl/carolina-panthers/gino-gradkowski/|title=Gino Gradkowski player contract|website=Spotrac.com|access-date=March 23, 2016}} 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.{{cite web|title=Ryan Kalil, Gino Gradkowski placed on IR|url=http://www.panthers.com/news/article-2/Ryan-Kalil-Gino-Gradkowski-placed-on-IR/5d4f6a3d-48f3-476e-b949-9736e0aa48bf|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170913030005/http://www.panthers.com/news/article-2/Ryan-Kalil-Gino-Gradkowski-placed-on-IR/5d4f6a3d-48f3-476e-b949-9736e0aa48bf|url-status=dead|archive-date=September 13, 2017|author=Henson, Max|website=Panthers.com|date=November 29, 2016}}
On September 2, 2017, Gradkowski was placed on injured reserve.{{cite web|title=Panthers trim roster to 53|url=http://www.panthers.com/news/article-2/Panthers-trim-roster-to-53/04544b8e-4a01-4568-9141-9ed61d2d4c51|author=Henson, Max|website=Panthers.com|date=September 2, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170920201032/https://www.panthers.com/news/article-2/Panthers-trim-roster-to-53/04544b8e-4a01-4568-9141-9ed61d2d4c51|archive-date=September 20, 2017|url-status=dead}} He was released on September 8, 2017.
=New York Jets=
On August 15, 2018, Gradkowski signed with the New York Jets.{{cite web|title=Jets Place Veteran T Ben Ijalana on Injured Reserve|url=https://www.newyorkjets.com/news/jets-place-veteran-t-ben-ijalana-on-injured-reserve|author=Allen, Eric|website=NewYorkJets.com|date=August 15, 2018}} He was released on August 31, 2018.{{cite web|title=Jets Cut 18 Players on Their Way to 53-Player Active Roster|url=https://www.newyorkjets.com/news/jets-cut-18-players-on-their-way-to-53-player-active-roster|author=Lange, Randy|website=NewYorkJets.com|date=August 31, 2018}}
=Denver Broncos (second stint)=
On November 12, 2018, Gradkowski signed with the Broncos following an injury to Matt Paradis.{{cite web|title=Broncos place C Matt Paradis on IR, sign C Gino Gradkowski|url=https://www.denverbroncos.com/news/broncos-place-c-matt-paradis-on-ir-sign-c-gino-gradkowski|author=DiLalla, Aric|website=DenverBroncos.com|date=November 12, 2018}}
Personal life
Gradkowski is the younger brother of former NFL quarterback Bruce Gradkowski.{{cite web|url=https://www.foxnews.com/sports/steelers-sign-pittsburgh-native-bruce-gradkowski-to-backup-roethlisberger/ |title=Steelers sign Pittsburgh native Bruce Gradkowski to backup Roethlisberger |publisher=Fox News Channel |date=March 13, 2013 |access-date=September 14, 2013}}
References
{{reflist|colwidth=30em}}
External links
{{Commons}}
- [https://web.archive.org/web/20120426041911/http://www.bluehens.com/sportsinfo/football/roster09-gradowski.html Delaware Blue Hens bio]
- [http://www.baltimoreravens.com/team/roster/Gino-Gradkowski/0f29b398-14ed-40db-ab8d-dd7225846f43 Baltimore Ravens bio] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121026154040/http://www.baltimoreravens.com/team/roster/gino-gradkowski/0f29b398-14ed-40db-ab8d-dd7225846f43/ |date=October 26, 2012 }}
- [http://www.denverbroncos.com/team/roster/Gino-Gradkowski/4f99c28a-4e7d-4915-b894-66b9319170e5 Denver Broncos bio] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150405015222/http://www.denverbroncos.com/team/roster/Gino-Gradkowski/4f99c28a-4e7d-4915-b894-66b9319170e5 |date=April 5, 2015 }}
- [http://www.atlantafalcons.com/team/roster/Gino-Gradkowski/d47dc930-cc89-4965-a509-c2e382067d0c Atlanta Falcons bio] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150910182141/http://www.atlantafalcons.com/team/roster/gino-gradkowski/d47dc930-cc89-4965-a509-c2e382067d0c |date=September 10, 2015 }}
{{Ravens2012DraftPicks}}
{{Super Bowl XLVII}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Gradkowski, Gino}}
Category:American football centers
Category:American football offensive guards
Category:American people of Italian descent
Category:American people of Polish descent
Category:Atlanta Falcons players
Category:Baltimore Ravens players
Category:Carolina Panthers players
Category:Delaware Fightin' Blue Hens football players
Category:Denver Broncos players
Category:New York Jets players
Category:St. Louis Battlehawks coaches
Category:Players of American football from Pittsburgh
Category:West Virginia Mountaineers football players