Gordy [Gronkowski] used his own experiences–both positive and negative–as a guide for his sons’ individual athletic development. By capitalizing on their natural sibling competitiveness and creating a carefully monitored training regimen in their impressive home gym, he helped each of his sons take charge of his own athletic destiny.

Being a father came naturally to me, it really did. I didn’t think it was that hard. I mean, I was sort of a tough guy sometimes—all the boys got at least one good whupping and soap in the mouth. But they still had some major brawls—I used to get phone calls during work from my ex-wife, Diane. I’d get home and raise hell if they were bad that day. One time, it got so out of hand that she dropped them off at my showroom. My God, it was tough on her with the five of them.

I coached each of my sons either in hockey or baseball, and they loved it. I sort of pushed them into sports a little, but if they’d decided they didn’t want to play, that would have been fine, too. All I asked of them was if they started something, that they finish it. If it was playing the trumpet even—I didn’t care if you didn’t like it anymore—you finished the year playing the trumpet. They might not like someone on their team or one of their coaches, and I’d say, “Hey, I know the guy’s a prick. But guess what? You’re going to meet a lot of them in life, and you’ve got to figure out how to work yourself around those people and keep on moving.” So there was no quitting.

My goal was always to get all my kids through college with an athletic scholarship. I’d tell them, “Hey, school’s first no matter what. Get educated, and then the sports.” That’s a deadly combination.

In eighth grade, I said to each of them in turn, “If you want to keep pursuing sports, you need to start training.” Gordie didn’t want to at first. But then he saw his younger brother Danny down in the basement getting bigger, stronger, and faster than him—then he wanted to train! It was like a virus after that—Chris hopped in, then Rob. After that, it was no problem pushing them to work harder anymore. They did it themselves. That was a great feeling, but it got very competitive in the house. I just created the environment, sat back, and watched it happen.

When it came time for Gordie Jr. to choose a college, I had him take responsibility for contacting the different coaches, like I had to when I went to college. I told him, “Look, Gordie, they don’t want to hear from me—they’ll think I’m some pushy dad.” He was great talking with them on the phone, and the next thing you know, we were visiting colleges and getting offers. With each of my sons, when they got to the campus that was right for them, they knew right away. Rob had something like 65 scholarship offers, and I asked, “Where are you going? Syracuse? Ohio State?” He goes, “University of Arizona.” I asked, “Why there?” “Dad, if you ever went to a pool party at Arizona, you’d understand.”

His plan worked—each of Gordy’s sons has received an athletic scholarship: Gordie Jr. to Jacksonville University, Dan to University of Maryland, Chris and Rob to University of Arizona, and Glenn to Kansas State. Glenn is still in college, and the rest have all played sports professionally in turn: Gordie Jr. was drafted to play baseball for the Los Angeles Angels. Dan played in the N.F.L. for the Detroit Lions, Denver Broncos, New England Patriots, and Cleveland Browns. Chris played for the Dallas Cowboys, the Indianapolis Colts, and the Denver Broncos. Rob is currently a tight end for the New England Patriots.

Adapted from All-American XV Leap of Faith by Bruce Weber, published November 8, 2015, by Little Bear. © 2015, Bruce Weber. Courtesy of teNeues Publishing. All Rights Reserved.