FOXBORO -- A game in Buffalo, New York, means a homecoming of sorts for Patriots tight end Rob Gronkowski. The 23-year old was born in Amherst and grew up in Williamsville, about a 20-minute drive from Buffalo.
Gronkowski is appropriately excited to make the trip.
"It's great going back, right where you grew up and played in front of all your friends and family and everything," he said Friday. "It's my third time going up there and doing this. It's a cool experience and I'm definitely looking forward to the game and seeing my family and stuff."
How about that 'stuff'? The weather could be unkind outside the warm confines of Gronkowski's family circle.
How do Bills fans handle it? Does the home crowd look past the Patriots jersey to welcome back a native son?
"I'm not really sure about that," the big tight end said, caution playing at the corners of his mouth. "I mean, I just go out there and play the game. And I just know they're always cheering against our team, so I'm just not really focused on that either. I'm really focused on going, doing my job and playing against the Bills. Just really focused on their defense."
It seems he enjoys the challenge.
In four regular season games against the Bills, Gronkowski has amassed 314 yards and 7 touchdowns on 22 catches. 217 of those yards came last year alone.
When asked if he likes to show off in front of Buffalo, he had to quickly stifle a grin.
"I mean, it's always good to go back to your hometown and have a good game But you take every game and focus on every game to do well, to go out there and play well," Gronkowski said. "So we'll see what happens this game. They're a good, tough defense so we've got to go out ready to fight."
