Rob Gronkowski’s transition from NFL superstar to vocal CBD advocate has become one of the most notable athlete-driven shifts in sports wellness. After nine seasons with the New England Patriots, multiple surgeries, and persistent pain issues, Gronkowski retired in 2019 seeking alternatives to traditional painkillers and the toll football had taken on his body. During that period, he discovered CBDMEDIC—an Abacus Health Products brand—through his father, who encouraged him to try CBD topicals for muscle and joint relief. Gronkowski later said the products left him pain-free for the first time in years, sparking his interest in CBD as a recovery tool.
In August 2019, Gronkowski announced that he was partnering with Abacus Health as both an investor and brand advocate. The company, known for its CBDMEDIC line of topicals, blended hemp-derived CBD with over-the-counter pain relievers like menthol and camphor, creating non-intoxicating treatments aimed at athletes and active consumers. Gronkowski immediately became the face of the brand, appearing in campaigns and public events to promote CBDMEDIC as part of a healthy recovery regimen.
His advocacy extended into professional sports policy. At his announcement event, Gronkowski urged major sports leagues, including the NFL, to reconsider their stance on CBD and allow players to use hemp-derived topicals for pain management. He emphasized that CBD was non-psychoactive and argued that it could help reduce reliance on stronger pharmaceuticals that many athletes are prescribed. At one point, he even suggested he would only consider returning to football if the league updated its CBD policies—a statement that brought national attention to the issue.
Gronkowski’s message resonated because it aligned with his well-known history of intense physical play, injuries, and high-energy personality. Fans, reporters, and wellness brands saw his shift toward CBD as authentic: a tough, respected player openly discussing pain, stress, sleep, and recovery. Abacus Health capitalized on his credibility, highlighting how CBDMEDIC had supported Gronkowski’s recovery and helped him feel healthy enough to resume high-level training.
In 2020, Abacus Health was acquired by Charlotte’s Web Holdings, one of the most recognized names in the hemp CBD industry. The move brought CBDMEDIC—and by extension, Gronkowski’s endorsed products—into a larger portfolio with wider distribution across retail, e-commerce, and health channels. The merger strengthened both brands’ positions in the crowded CBD market and ensured that Gronkowski’s advocacy reached an even broader audience.
As public interest in athlete wellness and cannabis-based recovery solutions continues to grow, Gronkowski remains a major voice for CBD normalization. His testimony helped shift the conversation around hemp-derived products from fringe wellness circles to mainstream sports culture. Whether discussing inflammation, post-game soreness, or mental recovery, he consistently frames CBD as a natural, accessible option grounded in personal experience rather than trend.
While more scientific research is still needed to fully understand CBD’s therapeutic potential, Gronkowski’s partnership with Abacus Health undeniably accelerated CBD’s acceptance across the sports world. His mix of star power, relatability, and firsthand recovery narrative turned him into one of the leading athlete advocates pushing for CBD to be embraced as a legitimate recovery tool for professionals and everyday consumers alike.