FOXBORO -- Rob Gronkowski loped through the Patriots locker room with a grin on his face. He passed the mob that encircled Robert Kraft, who was cradling the Lamar Hunt Trophy, and gave a salute.
"Mr. Kraft!" he crowed.
"I like the way you're walking," the owner replied.
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The exchange of giddy, pointless pleasantries continued until Gronkowski was ready to face the media. He started to pull a white t-shirt over his head, paused, and took it off in favor of another.
"I'd better put the Championship shirt on," he said to no one in particular.
When Gronkowski finally turned to the crowd, wearing the right gear, his grin was somehow bigger. His joy was so complete, one felt compelled to look down to his feet for some physical sign of the pain he should be feeling. In the third quarter of New England's 23-20 conference win, Baltimore's Bernard Pollard tackled Gronkowski on a 23-yard reception and the pair landed together in a heap. Pollard rolled over on Gronkowski's left ankle. The foot twisted backward grotesquely against the joint.
Surely, his season was over.
Maybe for anyone but Gronkowski. The tight end was helped to the locker room and remained out for something like three minutes of game play. When he emerged in the fourth quarter, Gillette Stadium erupted into a frenzy. Younger New England fans might have thought of Paul Pierce's heroic comeback in Game 1 of the 2008 NBA Finals. Older fans probably couldn't help but recall Larry Bird's inconceivable return to Game 5 of 1991's first round.
Gronkowski held off defenders as quarterback Tom Brady hurled himself into the end zone for the game-winning score. Playoffs magic.
"It's great to be a part of this," he said. "Middle school, high school, I saw Tom Brady go to the Super Bowl many times. It's great to be part of this team."
He wouldn't elaborate on the ankle. Eyes widened in innocence, he said he felt good and nothing more, nothing less. He talked about his numbers (5 catches for 87 yards) and those of his counterpart, Aaron Hernandez ("Love playing with him . . . great tight end") and how he waited and prayed the defense would stop Baltimore on its final drive. But as for his status, reporters were forced to glean what they could, as Robert Kraft did, from the way Gronkowski was walking.
Tough to tell when a guy's floating on air.
"Emotions are flying high. It's unbelievable. It's my second year in the league, playing with a great team, and you have to enjoy the moment. It doesn't even feel right, especially playing with the veterans here. I watched them go to the Super Bowl as I was growing up and now I'm part of it? It is an unreal moment and you can't take it for granted."
Gronkowski went back to the field after his post-game responsibilities were over. A walking boot bracing his left foot didn't seem to stand in the way of his revelry. As of Sunday night, the whispered word is he'll play in the Super Bowl. His own word isn't any different. Gronkowski said it would take a hell of a lot more, "something serious," to stop him.
It's difficult not to believe it.