NEW YORK – All-Pro Rob Gronkowski agreed Friday to a $54 million deal with the New England Patriots, the richest contract for a tight end in NFL history.

The six-year deal includes $18.17 million guaranteed. It is a stunning move by the team for a player entering just his third NFL season, but the Patriots recognized the game-breaking skills of the record-setting Gronkowski.

“This is a rare deal,” said Drew Rosenhaus, Gronkowski’s agent. “Thanks to Mr. Kraft and Coach Belichick.”

Gronkowski set a league record for the position with 17 touchdown catches in 2011. He also had a record 1,327 yards, and made 90 receptions.

Gronkowski is coming off left ankle surgery, an injury that slowed him in New England’s loss to the New York Giants in the Super Bowl.

Gronkowski, selected in the second round in 2010, had two more years left on his contract. Yet New England ripped it up, or rather added on to his rookie deal so Gronkowski will be with the team through the 2019 season.

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The 23-year-old Gronkowski was virtually uncoverable while healthy last season. He combined with fellow second-year tight end Aaron Hernandez and slot receiver Wes Walker — the league’s leading pass catcher — to help New England go 13-3 and score an AFC-high 513 points.

GIANTS: President Barack Obama honored the Super Bowl champions, crediting them as a team that didn’t quit despite obstacles.

It was the second title in four years for Super Bowl MVP quarterback Eli Manning and the Giants. Obama said for many members of the team, “this is just welcome back” to the White House.

The Giants won their final two regular-season games to win the NFC East. The team then won four postseason games, capped by a 21-17 Super Bowl win over the New England Patriots.

Obama said while no one on the team was “perfect”, everyone did their job.

As Obama seeks re-election, Giants Coach Tom Coughlin joked that “we both have a goal” to get back to the White House next year.

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“He’s got a big season,” said Eli Manning, who presented Obama, the 44th president of the United States, with a blue Giants jersey with the number 44 on the back. “He’s working hard right now. He’s in training camp right now and getting ready.”

RAVENS: Baltimore agreed to a two-year contract with former Cincinnati Bengals starting offensive guard Bobbie Williams.

BRONCOS: Linebacker D.J. Williams appeared to reveal defensive formations when he sent out a picture of his digital playbook on his Twitter account.

The Broncos gave the players iPads this offseason as an alternative to more customary playbooks and Williams posted a picture on his account. He sent an accompanying tweet that said: “Coach just told me I have to learn a new position over the weekend, we have IPads as playbooks now, but I’m old skool I’m using flash cards.”

The picture was eventually taken down.

He later posted a note that said, “Dear Fans: My post about learning a new position and the fact that our playbooks are now iPad was all for you.”

CHARGERS: San Diego agreed to terms on a one-year contract with running back Ronnie Brown.

The 6-foot, 230-pound Brown ran for 136 yards and a touchdown last season while backing up LeSean McCoy with the Philadelphia Eagles.


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