NFLNOTEBOOK
FALCONS: Tight end Tony Gonzalez has won the 2013 Good Guy Award from the Professional Football Writers of America.
Gonzalez, who recently announced he will play one more season after originally planning to retire, has been honored for his professionalism in helping pro football writers do their jobs
Gonzalez had one of his best seasons at age 36 as the Falcons went 13-3 and won the NFC South. One of the NFL’s most popular players, Gonzalez caught a team-high 93 passes for 930 yards and eight touchdowns, earning his 13th Pro Bowl appearance
He is the first tight end in NFL history with 100 TD catches and also owns career records for the position in receptions (1,242), yards receiving (14,268), TD catches (103), 100-yard games (30) and 1,000-yard seasons (four).
FOXBOROUGH, Mass. ( AP) — New England Patriots tight end Rob Gronkowski underwent back surgery on Tuesday, his fourth operation this year.
The latest surgery was performed by Dr. Robert Watkins and was successful, said Drew Rosenhaus, Gronkowski’s agent.
On May 20, the Patriots star had the most recent operation on the left forearm that he broke on Nov. 18 while blocking for an extra point in a 59-24 win over the Indianapolis Colts. He had an operation soon after, the first of four on his forearm.
He broke it again in the Patriots’ first playoff game, a 41-28 win over the Houston Texans on Jan. 13, and has had three forearm operations since then. Rosenhaus said the surgery performed last month was expected to be the last on his forearm.
The Patriots open training camp in late July and start the regular season on Sept. 8 at Buffalo.
In 43 NFL games, Gronkowski has scored 39 touchdowns, 38 on passes and one on a run.
Drafted in the second round out of Arizona in 2010, he was chosen for the Pro Bowl in 2011. In that season, he set NFL records for tight ends with 17 touchdown catches, 18 total touchdowns and 1,327 yards receiving.
In 11 games last season, Gronkowski had 55 catches for 790 yards and 11 touchdowns. He missed five regular-season games with forearm and hip injuries and the AFC championship game, a 28-13 loss to the Baltimore Ravens, after he re-broke his forearm.
PATRIOTS: Tight end Aaron Hernandez, 23, was questioned by detectives in North Attleboro, Mass. on Tuesday and had his home there searched by police in connection with a homicide investigation, according to a report by Sports Illustrated.
Hernandez is not believed to be a suspect in the homicide, a source told SI, but a vehicle rented in his name is connected to the investigation. A 27-year-old Boston man was found dead less than a mile from Hernandez’s home, according to the report.
Hernandez graduated from Bristol Central High School and went on to play football at the University of Florida. He was drafted by the Patriots in 2010.
RAMS: The St. Louis Convention and Visitors Commission has paid $2 million to the St. Louis Rams to cover the team’s legal fees for the dispute over upgrades to the Edward Jones Dome.
CVC spokeswoman Donna Andrews on Tuesday confirmed payment was made May 20. Rams spokesman Artis Twyman confirmed the payment.