Camille Kostek Discusses Challenges of Dating Professional Athletes
Camille Kostek, a Sports Illustrated model, has opened up about some of the less glamorous sides of dating a professional athlete. The 33-year-old has shared that she feels judged by other NFL wives for not having the same marital status as her boyfriend, Rob Gronkowski, who is 36 and a former NFL tight end.
During an episode of Christine Cavalari’s “An Honestly Cavalari: Headline Tour,” Kostek expressed, “I felt like I was viewed as less than my girlfriend because I didn’t have rings on my fingers.” It’s a sentiment that speaks to the pressures and expectations placed on relationships within the sports world.
Interestingly, she added with a hint of irony, “But do you want to know what’s so funny about it? The woman I judged the most ended up getting divorced.” This reflection suggests a deeper nuance in the social dynamics among NFL families.
Kostek and Gronkowski first connected in 2015, but their paths crossed earlier in 2013 when she was a cheerleader, and he was in the midst of his third season with the New England Patriots. “We met when we were both just 21 and have been in each other’s lives for 10 years,” she reminisced.
Though they ended their relationship briefly in 2017, Kostek looks back on that time as transformational. “Some of the best things that changed the trajectory of my life came from that breakup. I felt somewhat asexual, but I was also discovering who I really was,” she admitted.
After that period, she decided to chase her dreams more fervently, noting, “That year, I knew I had to audition for the Sports Illustrated swimsuit issue—something that was on my bucket list. I had so much I wanted to do and achieve.” This drive for personal fulfillment seems to have played a significant role in her journey.
Kostek emphasized the unique challenges of dating someone in the NFL. She mentioned the strange nature of their relationship dynamics, laughing as she noted, “We’re reading each other’s calendars. We don’t spend every single moment together, so when we get to talk, it’s kind of thrilling.”
Reflecting on a recent trip, she humorously recalled being at her sister’s wedding in St. Thomas. While on the beach, they managed to coordinate their schedules, noting, “There’s a Sports Illustrated swimsuit launch coming up, and it’s a big deal, a legendary matter. I thought, ‘Perfect!’”
