Craziest Gronk Highlights in Celebration of His 31st Birthday

A Huge Happy 31st Birthday goes out to Rob Gronkowski, the NFL's wildest tight end ever and one of the most lovable characters in the league. After retiring and not playing last season, Gronk recently announced his return and was traded to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers to team up with former New England Patriots teammate Tom Brady.

In honor of Gronk's birthday and his upcoming return to football, here are six of his best career highlights so far.

6. Catch Against the Denver Broncos in the 2016 AFC Championship

Rob Gronkowski continually showed out against the Denver Broncos throughout his career, and that was especially true for the 2016 AFC Championship game. Down 20-12, Gronk pulled off a heavily-contested catch to keep the Patriots' hopes alive with just over a minute left on the clock. Gronk later followed the play up with a touchdown with 12 seconds left, but the Patriots would fall 20-18 after failing on the two-point conversion attempt.

5. 2014 Touchdown Against the Chicago Bears

In Week 8 in 2014, Gronk dominated the Chicago Bears. He finished the game with three touchdowns and 149 total years, absolutely shredding the Chicago defense at home at Gillette Stadium. The most notable play from the game was this 46-yard touchdown late in the third quarter, in which he treated the Bears defenders like pee-wee players and threw them aside.

4. Touchdown Against the Denver Broncos in 2012

Rob Gronkowski is not one to shy away from big moments. In the Divisional Round against the Denver Broncos in 2012, the New England Patriots had the ball on the 10-yard line up 7-0 early. The Pats turned to Gronk, and he did not disappoint. After bobbling the pass initially, Gronk dove and secured the ball just in time to stay in play.

3. 2014 Touchdown Against the Indianapolis Colts

In Week 14 against the Indianapolis Colts, Gronkowski put all his talents on display in one play. On a third down in the fourth quarter, Gronk caught a short pass on the 20-yard line. From there, he proceeded to tear up all 11 Colts defenders. He spun off the first, then stiff-armed two others,and sped past the rest, finishing the play by leaping over the final defender into the end zone.

2. 2011 Catch Against the Redskins

Rob Gronkowski is an unstoppable force. In a game against the Washington Redskins in 2011, Gronkowski pulled off one of the most unlikely plays ever. Gronk shook off two defenders that were draped all over him, and then continued to barrel down the field. He then shook off another defender, before eventually being tripped-up around the 10-yard line. That game, Gronk would break the record for most receiving touchdowns by a tight end in a season with 14.

1. 2014 Catch Against the Denver Broncos

Any fan who says that Gronk owes his success to having Tom Brady as his quarterback has the wrong impression. In Week 9 of 2014 against the Denver Broncos, Brady threw a pass over the left shoulder of Gronk while he was heading in the opposite direction. Somehow, he halted his momentum in mid-air, and brought the ball down with one hand just short of the end zone. Gronkowski fully defies physics.