One former NFL star has found unexpected financial success through what can only be described as a stroke of luck, as Apple's decade-long impressive growth has turned a simple, almost forgotten investment into a small fortune for him.

Rob "Gronk" Gronkowski, widely regarded as one of the most iconic names in NFL history, has been a key figure in the New England Patriots' Super Bowl dynasty. Gronkowski's career in football was not only marked by his athleticism but also by the considerable wealth he amassed over the years, including a lucrative six-year $54 million contract with the Patriots during his prime.

Gronkowski shows that you don't need to be active in the stock market to find success (Slaven Vlasic/Getty Images for The Cantor Fitzgerald Relief Fund)

However, it turns out that one of his most significant financial wins wasn’t a result of his on-field performances or endorsement deals but rather due to his relatively passive approach to the stock market. Gronkowski, it seems, inadvertently found himself with a handsome financial return from an investment he largely forgot about.

Maybe we should all invest in Apple and wait a decade? (Marcos del Mazo/LightRocket via Getty Images)

In 2014, Gronkowski was approached by a contractor who was working on building his home in Foxborough, Massachusetts. This contractor was particularly keen on advising Gronkowski to invest in Apple stock. Apparently, the contractor repeatedly urged Gronkowski with the simple yet emphatic message, "Get Apple, get Apple," during their conversations. After much persuasion, Gronkowski eventually gave in to the contractor's advice and decided to invest $69,000 into Apple's stock.

After making the investment, Gronkowski promptly forgot about it, focusing on other aspects of his life and career, as many do with their investments. Years passed, and the former tight end had little to no involvement with managing or tracking the stocks. It wasn’t until nearly ten years later that he remembered the investment he had made. When he checked the value of his Apple shares, he was astounded to see how much they had grown.

To his surprise, the modest $69,000 investment had ballooned into a value of over $600,000. This remarkable increase in value was largely thanks to Gronkowski’s lack of attention, as he had essentially let the stock grow on its own, without any intervention. He had sold off a small portion of his stocks shortly after his initial purchase, but the majority of them were left untouched, and over the years, they had appreciated significantly.

While this sum is a relatively small part of Gronkowski’s overall net worth, estimated at $45 million according to Celebrity Net Worth, it still represents a fantastic return on his investment. It also offers an intriguing lesson: sometimes, it’s not about actively managing your portfolio, but about making a good decision, forgetting about it, and letting time do the work.

Gronkowski’s story serves as a reminder that success in the stock market doesn't always require constant oversight. In fact, perhaps the key to successful investing lies in making sound choices and then stepping back, allowing time and market growth to take their course. In this case, patience and a bit of forgetfulness paid off handsomely for Gronkowski.

It may sound too good to be true, but maybe there’s a lesson here for the rest of us: should we all consider investing in Apple and simply let it sit for a decade? Of course, investing comes with risks, and no one can predict the future with certainty, but Gronkowski’s story shows that sometimes, simple decisions made at the right time can yield incredible results. It also highlights how companies like Apple, Tesla, and Nvidia, which have seen significant growth in recent years, are often seen as safe bets, but even then, there’s always the chance of unforeseen challenges.

For all the success stories, there are also examples of mistakes in the investment world, even among the richest individuals. Elon Musk, the wealthiest person on the planet, has made his fair share of financial missteps, with his acquisition of X (formerly Twitter) being a notable example. Recent reports indicate that X has lost 72% of its purchase value in the two years since Musk took control. While this loss may only represent a small fraction of Musk’s overall wealth, it's still a significant blow to his investment portfolio.

Ultimately, the world of investments is one of calculated risks and rewards. Whether it’s through careful attention, as seen in Gronkowski’s case, or through riskier, high-profile purchases like Musk’s, the path to financial success is as varied as the individuals who walk it.