Gronk Sends Danny Amendola a Bear Hug as He Leaves Patriots for the Dolphins: 'Stay Lit'

Posted by: Gronkowski

Danny Amendola is leaving New England and heading south ... 1,482 miles south to be exact, all the way to Miami.

While Patriots fans continue to mourn the news that the plucky wide receiver and 2017 playoffs hero is signing a two-year, $12 million contract with the Dolphins, Rob Gronkowski sent a very special farewell message to his (now) former teammate.

"It was a honor playing with ya the past 5 years @dannyamendola," Gronk wrote on Instagram Wednesday.

"Thanks for all the hugs and memories! Stay lit, Be FREE, Be HAPPY. Your hard work, the way you play at your size, the pain you fought through, the hits you take and get right back up talking shit back. I appreciated it all. Congrats. Enjoy Miami kid."

 

The sweet note was accompanied with a video clip of Gronk opening up his huge coat to give the mini-receiver a giant bear hug one the sidelines last season.

As you may recall, it was during the Pats 35-14 win over the Tennessee Titans that sent them to the AFC Championship game against the Jaguars. Bitter 20 degree weather was blowing through Gillette Stadium that January afternoon, with winds up to 20 m.p.h.

With an even colder no'easter currently pounding Boston, don't ya wish you could get a big hug from Gronk to warm you up?

Gronk has been unfaltering in his praise of 'Dola, marveling to Brady over the phone on the final episode of the "Tom vs. Time" docuseries: "How does Danny get so good in the playoffs?"

 Brady also sent off one of his top players with a heartfelt message, writing: "Teammate. Friend. Brother. Leader. Champion. #80 #DannyPlayoff."

Teammate. Friend. Brother. Leader. Champion. #80 #DannyPlayoff

A post shared by Tom Brady (@tombrady) on

Of course, 'Dola's best bud and Mexico City travel buddy Julian Edelman also lamented the loss of his sidekick on and off the field.

"Hell of a ride these past few years Dolamite... save a seat for me down in South Beach," Number 11 wrote, along with a hilarious pic of them frolicking in the confetti after Super Bowl LI.

The good news is at least they'll all be reunited twice next season -- just on opposing teams.

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