Rob Gronkowski is one of the most dynamic players in the NFL on the field, but he is just as exciting off of it, including a couple weeks ago when he was spotted partying in Las Vegas with a broken forearm.
Many in the media have written that Gronkowski needs to slow down with his off the field antics, but Longan Mankins of the New England Patriots said on Tuesday that he has no problems with the tight end or the video of him wrestling in Las Vegas.
"I know we are referring to Gronk and partying and doing wrestling moves and stuff. I think Gronk's having fun," Mankins said Tuesday during a charitable appearance at the Kraft Family Blood Donor Center.
Gronkowski broke his arm for the second time this season in the playoffs for the Patriots and he was spotted by TMZ on video earlier this month body slamming a friend with a wrestling move in a Las Vegas nightclub while having his broken arm in a sling.
Mankins is a team captain and a long-term team veteran, meaning his opinion holds some weight in the locker room and among other players. He said that Gronkowski isn't breaking the law and he has no issues with how he acts away from football.
"The headlines might not be what a lot of people want, but at least he's not getting DUIs or doing things that are against the law. I don't think he's hurting anyone.
"Hopefully he doesn't hurt his arm because then that would be bad. You know Gronk, he is a big meathead that likes to party and play football. I think that's what he's doing.
"When he starts breaking the law, then that would be definitely something we'd have to look into," he said.
Gronkowski recently signed a $54 million six-year contract extension and is a key component to the Patriots success. Over the past two seasons he has broken various records for tight ends and he was named to the Pro Bowl for the second time in his career despite being injured in a game in November, making 55 receptions for 790 yards and league-leading 11 touchdowns.
He played in just 11 games and made his impact felt once again, a year after putting up 90 receptions for 1,327 yards and 17 touchdowns. The Patriots went 4-1 without him in the lineup, but he is important for both Tom Brady and the running game for coach Bill Belichick.
Last year he was injured before the Super Bowl against the Giants and looked hobbled, but was caught on video dancing and clubbing afterwards to the outcry of many fans. Gronkowski was originally hurt in Week 11 against the Miami Dolphins and came back for the playoff game against the Texans, in which he was hurt early on.
Gronkowski was hurt on a deep catch after going out of bounds in the first quarter and landing on his left arm, which had already been broken earlier in the year. Gronkowski went to the locker room and could be seen on television screaming in pain.
"It's always a tough break," Patriots guard Logan Mankins said to ESPNBoston.com after his initial injury. "Everyone on the team loves Rob. Loves him as a person, player. It's a tough break for him, and it's always a tough break for our team, but whoever gets put in that spot, they have to do that job. We're all counting on him."