Editor's note: Rob Gronkowski announced his retirement from the NFL on Sunday. This piece was originally published on Jan. 30, 2018, prior to the New England Patriots playing the Philadelphia Eagles in Super Bowl LII.
The action of forcing an object (usually a football) into the ground with tremendous force as a way of celebration or because you're f---ing hammered and felt like doing it anyway.
-- Definition of a "Gronk Spike," via Urban Dictionary
FOXBOROUGH, Mass. -- The Gronk Spike debuted on Sept. 26, 2010. After scoring his second NFL touchdown on a short pass from Tom Brady, Rob Gronkowski raised his left leg in Juan Marichal-like fashion, reached back with his meaty right arm, hopped three times on his right foot and fired the ball into the turf.