NFL legend Rob Gronkowski has revealed how a $69,000 (£54,000) investment in Apple stock, made solely on his house contractor's advice in 2014, has now ballooned to more than $600,000 (£473,000).
The former New England Patriots star made the investment despite having no prior knowledge of how the stock market worked.
The surprising financial windfall came about when Gronkowski was having a house built in Foxborough during his time playing alongside Tom Brady.
The decision to invest came after persistent advice from his building contractor, who repeatedly urged him to buy Apple shares.
"Every time I saw him, when we were building the house, he kept saying, 'Get Apple. Get Apple'," Gronkowski told Fortune.
"So after the 50th time, I got it. And let me tell you, it's the best investment I've ever had in my life," he added.
Rob Gronkowski's investment with Apple made him much richer
The four-time Super Bowl champion admitted he was completely new to investing at the time.
"I had never been involved in stocks. I really didn't know how stocks work," he revealed.
Gronkowski's decision was characteristically playful, telling his financial advisor: "Put $69,000 in Apple. My own money, with no advice like this, is just from the guy who built my house here in the New England area."
In a remarkable twist, Gronkowski completely forgot about his Apple investment for two years.
When he finally rediscovered the investment, it had already grown to $250,000.
He subsequently sold a portion of the shares but maintained a significant holding.
"Now to this day, I have over $600,000 in Apple stock, all because of the investment I made in 2014 having no idea what I was doing, but just listening to the guy that built my house here in New England," Gronkowski said.
"Let me tell you, he built my house, and he gave all the money back to me by telling me to invest in Apple," he added.
The 35-year-old's savvy Apple investment reflects his broader approach to financial management throughout his career.
Rob Gronkowski made the investment when he was playing alongside Tom Brady
In his 2015 book 'It's Good to be Gronk', he revealed he hadn't touched his NFL earnings or signing bonus.
"I live off my marketing money and haven't blown it on any big-money expensive cars, expensive jewelry or tattoos and still wear my favorite pair of jeans from high school," he wrote.
LATEST SPORTS NEWS:
- Player who failed to meet gender regulations over 'high testosterone' wins BBC Women's Footballer of the Year
- Gary Lineker changes career as BBC presenter lands new job in wake of Match of the Day exit
- Judd Trump 'feels sorry for the older generation' as snooker stars criticise conditions at UK Championship
Rob Gronkowski's nine years with the Patriots made him an NFL legend
PA
His partnerships with brands like Dunkin' Donuts and T-Mobile provided his living expenses.
Gronkowski, who now works in sports media and invests in fitness apparel brands, has an estimated wealth of £45million.
