The injured ankle that hindered New England Patriots tight end Rob Gronkowski during the Super Bowl was worse than the team let on.

Gronkowski played in the Super Bowl despite suffering multiple torn ligaments in his ankle during the AFC Championship Game, according to a team source that spoke to the Boston Globe. The Pro Bowler underwent successful arthroscopic surgery to repair the damage on Friday, and is expected to take ten weeks to recover.

Gronkowski managed just two catches for 26 yards in New England's 21-17 Super Bowl loss to the New York Giants, and faced criticism after being filmed dancing at a nightclub in the wee hours of the night following the defeat. But it is likely easier to forgive Gronkowski -- who's frat-boy behavior, monstrous receptions and catch-phrases like "Yo Soy Fiesta" have made him a cult figure -- now, knowing that he gritted through torn ligaments in an attempt to help his team.

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