Rob Gronkowski is taking home some more hardware.
The New England Patriots tight end on Wednesday won the ESPY Award for Best Comeback Athlete, beating out skier Lindsey Vonn, New York Yankees designated hitter Alex Rodriguez and Chicago Bulls guard Derrick Rose.
Gronkowski returned from a season-ending knee injury stronger than ever in 2014, leading all NFL tight ends with 1,124 receiving yards and 12 touchdowns and ranking fourth in receptions with 82. That production earned him NFL Comeback Player of the Year honors and a first-team All-Pro selection to go along with his Super Bowl ring.
The 26-year-old celebrated the announcement of his ESPY in his trademark enthusiastic fashion:
[tweet https://twitter.com/SBNationGIF/status/621492232617508864 align=’center’]
But what followed the Gronk family chest bump was an unusually heartfelt speech, during which Gronkowski thanked his parents, congratulated his fellow nominees and offered some encouraging words to any athletes battling injuries.
“When you get down,” he said. “You put mind over matter, and you do everything possible to get back to where you started.”
Thumbnail photo via Twitter/@jose3030
