A Gronk's Tale

Rob Gronkowski/AP Images

A look at the entertaining season of New England's newest superstar. 


By Joe Diglio


New England Patriots tight end Rob Gronkowski has been on one crazy rollercoaster. In just his second season in the NFL, the second round pick out of Arizona spiked his way into the record books, setting single-season highs for total yards (1,327) and touchdowns (17 receiving, 18 total) by a tight end.


When the season started, many people wondered how New England’s tight end situation would play out. A year ago, Gronkowski and fellow rookie Aaron Hernandez combined for 1,109 yards and 16 touchdowns. This year, they both improved upon last year’s numbers, but Gronkowski became the star with his record-breaking stats. 


Gronk kept his unforgettable season going in the playoffs, catching 10 passes for 145 yards and 3 touchdowns in his first career playoff victory, a 45-10 win over the Denver Broncos.


But things went downhill in the Patriots’ AFC Championship Game win against the Baltimore Ravens. Late in the third quarter, quarterback Tom Brady completed his fifth pass to Gronkowski on the day for 23 yards. However, the big tight end was brought down awkwardly by Baltimore safety Bernard Pollard, the same man who put Brady on injured reserve in Week 1 of the 2008 season. Gronkowski, who suffered a high left ankle sprain, would return to the game but not be a factor.


Despite two weeks rest, Gronk was still in pain for Super Bowl XLVI against the New York Giants. Playing on essentially one leg, he lacked his usual explosiveness and ability to cut sharply. The Pro Bowler was held to just 2 receptions for 26 yards.


Gronkowski’s injury really hurt the Patriots on two plays in particular. With New England holding on to a two-point lead at the start of the 4th quarter, Brady threw a 50-yard bomb to Gronk on just the second play of the period. Unable to push off his weak ankle, Gronkowski was out jumped by Giants linebacker Chase Blackburn, who intercepted the pass.


Even in the waning moments with the Patriots trailing, 21-17, Gronkowski still had a chance to be the hero. Brady launched a Hail Mary into the end zone on the final play into a crowd of Patriots and Giants. The ball was tipped and eventually fell incomplete, not far from a lunging Gronkowski. Had he been healthy, he may have gotten to the ball.


After New England’s win against Baltimore, ESPN Deportes’ John Sutcliffe asked Gronkowski if he planned on celebrating the win, to which he replied “yo soy fiesta.” After the Super Bowl, the celebration continued. Gronkowski danced his way through injury at the Patriots’ Super Bowl after party, to the chagrin of ESPN’s talking heads.


He has since calmed down, and last Friday, Gronkowski received arthroscopic surgery for his ankle. His timetable for recovery is ten weeks, so he should be 100 percent healthy to start next season. Luckily for the Patriots, it looks like the fiesta will go on.