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Gronkowski Named 2014 Comeback Player Of Year

BOSTON (CBS) -- Rob Gronkowski was back to being Rob Gronkowski in 2014.

On Friday, his recovery from a torn ACL and performance after earned him 2014 Comeback Player of the Year honors, as voted by the Professional Football Writers of America.

Gronkowski had an injury filled 2013 season, missing training camp and the first six games of the season with a forearm injury and then tearing his ACL in Week 14 against the Cleveland Browns. But he was back to his game-changing self in 2014, hauling in 82 receptions for 1,124 yards and 12 touchdowns.

The Patriots tight end had several super-human efforts during the season. In Week 8 against the Chicago Bears, he had a season-high 149 receiving yards and three touchdowns. He followed that up with a nine catch, 105-yard, touchdown showing against the Denver Broncos the following week, with Tom Brady calling Gronk's one-handed grab in that game one of the best catches he's ever seen.

Two weeks later, Gronkowski broke five potential Indianapolis tacklers en route to the end zone in New England's 42-20 win over the Colts.

Gronkowski is now the third member of the Patriots to receive Comeback Player of the Year honors. Wide receiver Randy Moss won the award in 2007 with quarterback Tom Brady taking home the award following his comeback from an ACL and MCL tear in 2009.

Tune in to the Patriots-Colts AFC Championship game on WBZ-TV and 98.5 The Sports Hub — the flagship stations of the New England Patriots. WBZ-TV kicks off coverage Friday night with a special edition of Patriots GameDay at 7pm, a LIVE edition of Patriots All Access Saturday night at 7pm, and a 90-minute Patriots GameDay on Sunday morning at 11:30am. After the game, switch over to myTV38 for Tom Brady and Bill Belichick's press conferences on Patriots 5th Quarter.

98.5 The Sports Hub begins their coverage Sunday afternoon at 3:30pm, with three full hours of postgame reaction and analysis following the game!

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