In the summer of 2011, just after Rob Gronkowski finished his rookie season with the Patriots, Mark Wahlberg invited him to a charity golf event. It was one of the first times Gronkowski had a chance to mingle with Hollywood elite. The attendees included a few actors from The Sopranos, the screen actor Bill Paxton, and Christopher McDonald of Shooter McGavin fame.
But of all people, Gronkowski hit it off with Henry Penzi, a longtime friend and associate of Wahlberg’s. Shortly after that, Gronkowski invited Penzi over to his house. As the two were hanging out, Penzi noticed that, like thousands of twentysomething bros everywhere, Gronk had an Entourage poster on his bedroom wall.