Rob Gronkowski played his last game of 2016 on Nov. 27, getting surgery the following week to repair a herniated disk. He was placed on injured reserve with just 25 receptions for 540 receiving yards and three touchdowns on the season -- all career lows.
But Gronk turned into one of the Patriots' biggest cheerleaders in the postseason. He even sung with Bon Jovi during the AFC Championship Game to pump up the Gillette Stadium crowd.
In Houston, the four-time first-team All-Pro tight end made his presence felt throughout Super Bowl week:
Gronk made a cameo on the newest "Clueless Gamer" segment on Conan, along with Tom Brady, Dwight Freeney, Marshawn Lynch and LeGarrette Blount.
He worked with Boston Children's Hospital to send two fans to Houston.
Hurry!!! Extended to 2pm
1 outrageous trip
2 Superbowl tickets, Rooms and Flights
Support @BostonChildrens
Enter: https://t.co/X2nSG0gQAq pic.twitter.com/YiMABBdxha— Rob Gronkowski (@RobGronkowski) February 3, 2017
Gronk, who claims he has not spent a dime of his NFL salary, living off only endorsement money, was all over Super Bowl commercials.
He released an Oberto spot with Richard Sherman:
It's #SuperBowl Sunday! RT+Follow @ObertoBeefJerky for a chance to win a signed @RobGronkowski jersey. pic.twitter.com/ILCcpdufgN
— Oberto (@ObertoBeefJerky) February 5, 2017
He played up the new Baywatch film with Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson.
GAME DAY!! Our blood boilin'! Before the #SuperBowl there's only ONE ICONIC THING left to do. @RobGronkowski @Patriots #Baywatch #SloMoRun pic.twitter.com/vr2QGCVM1k
— Dwayne Johnson (@TheRock) February 5, 2017
He told TD Ameritrade he speaks two languages.
The Green Room is full of surprises, did you know @RobGronkowski speaks two languages? #SB51 pic.twitter.com/vDJlQLJ8je
— TD Ameritrade (@TDAmeritrade) February 5, 2017
He ripped Jeffrey Tambor's clothes for Tide.
Do not, I repeat, DO NOT go to Gronk’s Cleaners for your stains. There is a better way. #ad pic.twitter.com/sQfqFMwDLM
— Jeffrey Tambor (@jeffreytambor) February 5, 2017
And he was in a T-Mobile commercial with Justin Bieber and Terrell Owens.
Big Game, big moves. Show us your best #UnlimitedMoves & @JustinBieber will RT his fave. pic.twitter.com/5VrIQq9jrg
— T-Mobile (@TMobile) February 2, 2017
Unlike the AFC Championship Game, when he sat in a luxury suite, Gronk watched the Super Bowl from the sidelines, wearing a Patriots quarter-zip. For a while, it was looking like the Patriots could have really used Gronk on the field. After all, New England was down 28-3 with 8:31 left in the third quarter.
Gronk is all of New England right now. #Mood #SB51 pic.twitter.com/xqNniGp5DA
— FOX Sports: NFL (@NFLonFOX) February 6, 2017
Tonight, the Patriots miss Gronk. The Falcons are throwing way more man at them, and New England's guys aren't winning 1-on-1.
— Albert Breer (@AlbertBreer) February 6, 2017
This is the first game in his absence that the @Patriots absolutely, positively miss @RobGronkowski
— Rich Eisen (@richeisen) February 6, 2017
The Patriots' fate turned and they ended the game with 31 unanswered points, winning the first-ever overtime Super Bowl, 34-28. The championship put Gronk right in his element: celebrating.
He tweeted from the field.
New England Patriots Super Bowl Champs!!!
— Rob Gronkowski (@RobGronkowski) February 6, 2017
He lauded Tom Brady.
You heard the man. pic.twitter.com/WBNQyGrna2
— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) February 6, 2017
— Tom E. Curran (@tomecurran) February 6, 2017
He posed with anyone he could find.
Gronk and Amendola celebrate! pic.twitter.com/axmuQnUVEY
— NFL on ESPN (@ESPNNFL) February 6, 2017
Great AP photo of puppy bowl champion Rob Gronkowski pic.twitter.com/53br0JmZkk
— Lindsey Adler (@lindseyadler) February 6, 2017
Apparently, Gronkowski even disguised himself as Devin McCourty for a press conference.
Is that you @RobGronkowski? pic.twitter.com/xAH0ME21vS
— ThePostGame (@ThePostGame) February 6, 2017
Gronk managed to fit in a sponsorship plug for Oberto in the Patriots' locker room.
Champs baby!!! Time to munch!! #SuperBowlChamps @ObertoBeefJerky always fueling me!! pic.twitter.com/mUJgnyo53F
— Rob Gronkowski (@RobGronkowski) February 6, 2017
Somehow, there are no known social media videos of Gronk partying Sunday night. Either his back (and lack of productivity in the postseason) stopped him from raging or no one took out their phones after him. If it's the latter, that's a crime.
Too bad there's no Gronk Cruise this year.
-- Follow Jeff Eisenband on Twitter @JeffEisenband. Like Jeff Eisenband on Facebook.