Rob Gronkowski: Patriots Reportedly Tell Star TE to Stop Fraternizing in Public

Rob Gronkowski's frat-boy antics have come to a close, at least if Robert Kraft and the New England Patriots' powers-that-be have anything to say about it.

According to the Boston Globe's Shalise Manza Young, the New England brass has told "Gronk" to slow down a bit this summer.

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After posing nude for ESPN The Magazine’s "Body Issue" and partying at events for the issue and the ESPYs (Gronkowski was up for two awards but was shut out), and co-hosting "Access Hollywood Live" in recent days — things that seem un-Patriot-like — don’t be surprised if he lays low for the next couple of weeks.

Via a league source, Gronkowski has been told by the team that his summer of Gronk, so to speak, is over.

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As Young mentions in the first paragraph, Gronkowski has had his share of publicity in his brief NFL career.

We've had the shirtless partying incident (second guy from the left) after the Patriots' Super Bowl loss to the Giants:

We've also seen Gronk butcher the Spanish language on ESPN Deportes:

That kind of publicity isn't the Patriots' way. They run a quiet organization, and Bill Belichick steers a tight ship.

New England doesn't want to be in the news for anything but winning football games. Gronkowski isn't necessarily doing anything wrong, but he doesn't appear as the crystal-clean football robot that the Patriots are used to having.

Gronk is going to get some leeway because of his superb ability and monster production. He's going to be one of the league's best tight ends for a long time, but the Patriots won't tolerate a "party" image. They preach a team-based concept, and no player is above that.

If Gronkowski's "Summer of Gronk" doesn't slow down, fans should expect more than a wary chiding from the Patriots front office. He will see a fine or a suspension, depending on how crazy his antics are.

Kraft and the Patriots love Pro Bowl production, but they won't tolerate Gronkowski's lifestyle for long. It appears they've already had their fill, and they sent a message on Sunday.