AP Photo/Charles Krupa
Rob Gronkowski scores one of his three touchdowns Sunday.FOXBOROUGH, Mass. -- Patriots tight end Rob Gronkowski didn't get the bad news until he got back in the locker room after Sunday's 31-24 triumph over the Colts at Gillette Stadium. Quarterback Tom Brady didn't even know until informed by the media at his postgame press conference.
Gronkowski appeared to set an NFL record for touchdown receptions by a tight end when he produced his third score of the game late in the third quarter. Initially deemed a 2-yard touchdown pass, the play was later re-scored a 2-yard run, meaning Gronkowski remains tied with San Francisco's Vernon Davis (2009) and San Diego's Antonio Gates (2004) with 13 receiving scores on the year.
"Oh it was?" Brady asked after being informed of the change. "That's OK. I'm glad we scored. That was a good play, good blocking. They blocked well for him on that play. That was great."
But Brady later admitted: "It must have been close. I thought it was a forward pass -- I threw it."
Gronkowski didn't seem too upset. After all, he's got four more games to get the mark. And with nine touchdowns in his last five games, including multiple touchdowns in three of the last four contests, he should have the record before long.
"I’m cool with it. That was my first rush of my career -- of my whole life -- and I got a touchdown on it," Gronkowski said. "My first rushing touchdown ever, I’m cool."
Gronkowski, known for his emphatic post-score spikes, held tight to the ball after the third score before throwing it to the sideline for safekeeping.
"I thought it was [the record-setting ball], so I wanted to keep it," he said. "I wish I spiked it now."