FOXBOROUGH, Mass. -- New England Patriots tight end Rob Gronkowski was named the team's Ron Burton Community Service Award winner Tuesday night at the club's annual Charitable Foundation kickoff event.
"Who would have thought five years ago when I was on ESPN drunk all the time that I would win this award," Gronkowski said to the crowd, drawing laughter.
Gronkowski, entering his seventh NFL season, all spent with the Patriots, becomes the 14th player to earn the honor.
"Rob is just as fun to watch at a community event as he is on the game field.