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Spencer Larsen Jokes That He Used to Beat Up Rob Gronkowski in College

FOXBORO, Mass. — Like every red-blooded player in the New England locker room, Patriots fullback Spencer Larsen has enjoyed his time around tight end Rob Gronkowski.

Larsen, actually, is reconnecting with Gronkowski, and he said the third-year tight end is still the same guy he knew at Arizona. Larsen was a senior when Gronkowski showed up as a freshman.

"Just incredible, you've never seen a guy like that," Larsen said. "Big and strong, I swear he looked like he does right now as a freshman coming right out of high school. I couldn't imagine what he did in high school. He was a good player."

Larsen got married and had a kid in college, so he said he didn't see a lot of Gronkowski away from the field. But on game day, Larsen had no doubt of Gronkowski's talent.

"He's one of those guys that come around and you just feel like he's going to be special," Larsen said. "So far, he's proved that."

The two have a good relationship, and Larsen has been happy to reconnect with the fun-loving tight end.

"Yeah, I joke with him. I was a senior when he was a freshman, so I used to beat him up in college if you guys believe that. It's been good seeing him, seeing the success he's had, getting to talk with him again."