Entering the 2012 season, only two tight ends in NFL history have had three seasons with 10 or more receiving touchdowns. On Sunday, Rob Gronkowski of the New England Patriots caught his ninth and tenth touchdowns of the season, joining future Hall of Famer Tony Gonzalez and Antonio Gates in this exclusive club. While as a member of the Kansas City Chiefs, Gonzalez, who is now with the Atlanta Falcons, had 10 or more touchdown receptions during the 1999, 2003 and 2008 seasons. San Diego Chargers tight end Antonio Gates joined that list with his third 10+ touchdown reception season in 2010 after previously accomplishing that feat in 2004 and 2005. Gronkowski scored his ninth touchdown of the 2012 season in the first quarter of Sunday's game against the Indianapolis Colts. Gronkowski beat Colts linebacker Kavell Conner for a four-yard score that tied the game with just over seven minutes to play in the opening quarter. Gronkowski's second touchdown came on a 24-yard strike late in the third quarter after Patriots linebacker Rob Ninkovich forced a fumble on Colts rookie quarterback Andrew Luck. The second touchdown increased New England's lead over the upstart Colts to 38-17.

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