Rob Gronkowski Becomes First Tight End With 10 TDs In Four Separate Seasons
BOSTON (CBS) -- At just 25 years old, Rob Gronkowski has established himself as a truly gifted, occasionally unstoppable tight end. If he can stay healthy, he just might go down as the best to ever play the position.
While that won't be determined for quite some time, Gronkowski did finish off an accomplishment that nobody else has ever done.
With a 14-yard reception in the second quarter against the Chargers, Gronkowski caught his 10th touchdown of the season. In doing so, he became the first tight end to ever record 10 or more touchdown receptions in four separate seasons.
Impressively, Gronkowski accomplished the feat in just five NFL seasons. The one year when Gronkowski failed to catch at least 10 touchdowns was in 2013, when he only played in seven games due to injury.
With three games remaining this season, Gronkowski stands to record his second-highest touchdown total of his career. He caught 17 in 2011, 11 in 2012 and 10 in his rookie season of 2010.
Interestingly enough, Gronkowski's counterpart -- Antonio Gates -- had the chance to accomplish the same feat on Sunday night. Gates, in his 12th NFL season, caught five passes for 34 yards but was kept out of the end zone. Gates is the active leader in touchdown receptions with 96.
With eight catches for 87 yards, Gronkowski now has 299 receptions for 4,252 yards and 52 touchdowns in his career. He also has a touchdown that was deemed to be a rushing play in 2011, giving him 53 total touchdowns in 63 career games.
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