ORCHARD PARK, N.Y. -- Rob Gronkowski understands growing up in Buffalo doesnt make him immune to the cold welcome reserved for visiting teams -- and that especially includes the Bills AFC East rival Patriots.For sure, you get like 50 middle fingers from people in the first three rows, Gronkowski said.On Sunday, Gronk got in the last word during a 41-25 win over the Bills .His 53-yard touchdown catch in the second quarter sparked a surge in which the Patriots scored on five consecutive possessions. And he also broke a pair of franchise records. The touchdown was the 69th of his career and 68th receiving, breaking the previous marks held by Stanley Morgan.That Gronkowski did it in his hometown and in the same stadium he once attended rooting for the Bills made it extra special.I definitely envisioned big things, but nothing on the scale of this, Gronkowski said, reflecting on his childhood. Its just an unbelievable honor.Driving up the right sideline, Gronkowski cut into the middle and caught Tom Bradys pass in stride a couple of steps ahead of cornerback Nickell Robey-Coleman. Gronkowski then immediately turned upfield and sauntered into the end zone, where he capped the score with a hard spike.After celebrating with his teammates, Gronkowski turned and bowed in what was a tribute to his mother, Diane.She caught up with her son at the team hotel on Saturday and told him how proud she would be for him to break the record.I was like, Ive got to give her a shoutout for letting me know shes super proud of me, Gronkowski said. Hi mom, and thank you.And his father, Gordie, was enjoying the moment in a stadium suite, surrounded by about 80 family members and friends.We were all on our barstools and had a big celebration for him, Gordie Gronkowski told The Associated Press, noting he anticipated his son would score.When he comes here, he gets all wired up and hyped up and everything to play in front of his fans, he said. It was a fantastic moment for us.In finishing with five catches for a team-best 109 yards, Gronkowski continued a trend of running up his numbers against Buffalo. In 11 games, he has 52 catches for 813 yards and 11 touchdowns. Gronkowski has scored at least once against Buffalo in each of his six NFL seasons, with the exception of 2014 when he missed one of two games against the Bills because of a knee injury.Hes pretty dang good, Bills coach Rex Ryan said. That guys a phenomenal player and hes been that way for a long time.What also separates Gronkowski from most NFL players is his larger-than-life personality. Hes just as accustomed to finding the end zone as he is being on stage alongside Paul McCartney, as happened in July.Its a pleasure to get to play with that guy. His attitude toward the game, he has so much fun, Patriots receiver Julian Edelman said. Hes just a flat-out beast that goes and has fun. What a great way for him to go out and beat a record.Even the usually reserved Patriots coach Bill Belichick couldnt resist taking a moment to praise Gronkowski.I love it. I love to see his presence, Belichick said. Theres a lot of great players in this league, and there have been a lot of great players, but obviously, Gronk does a good job.Gronkowski received another surprise following the game, when Morgan called to congratulate him on breaking the record.He was an awesome player, an awesome guy, and he said, `congratulations, and it was pretty cool, Gronkowski said.Gronkowski then acknowledged hes not very familiar with Morgan, who played for the Patriots from 1977-89.It would be a great honor to actually meet him in person and actually study up on his game and see what hes all about, Gronkowski said. Im going to be looking forward to that.---AP NFL website: www.pro32.ap.org and http://twitter.com/AP-NFL Nik Stauskas Jersey . -- Teemu Selanne scored the first goal of his 22nd NHL season, and the Anaheim Ducks extended the best start in franchise history with their fifth straight victory, 3-2 over the Calgary Flames on Wednesday night. Gary Trent Jr. Blazers Jersey . -- Cam Newton pranced into the end zone, placed his hands over his chest and did his familiar Superman pose. https://www.blazerslockerroom.com/Skal-Labissiere-City-Edition-Jersey/ . -- Nate Robinson has played for seven teams, so beating one of them is no longer a rare occurrence. Damian Lillard Jersey . Jon Montgomerys gold medal in skeleton at the Whistler Sliding Centre and his subsequent auctioning off of a pitcher of beer in the village square elevated him to folk-hero status. Kent Bazemore Jersey . That left plenty of energy for pitching books and swatting away free agency questions. Anthony had 24 points and nine rebounds, and the Knicks avenged an embarrassing home loss with a rout of their own, beating the Boston Celtics 114-88 on Wednesday night for their third straight victory. OKLAHOMA CITY -- Kevin Durant started his free agency tour in a familiar place.Durant met with the Thunder on Thursday, hours before he officially hit the market.Video from Fox 25 in Oklahoma City shows Durant arriving at Chesapeake Energy Arena and being greeted by general manager Sam Presti.Durant still hasnt made it clear whether hes going to stay with the Thunder or chase a title elsewhere.The NBA has been anticipating Durants decision for more than a year, as rarely does such an accomplished player become a free agent in his prime. The 2014 MVP and four-time scoring champion led the Thunder to the NBA Finals in 2012, and to the Western Conference finals in four of the past six years -- and hes only 27. He recovered from a broken bone in his right foot that cost him much of last season to post one of the best years of his career.Staying with Oklahoma City makes sense for Durant. The Thunder had a 3-1 lead on the Warriors before losing the next three games. Durant and the Thunders young core could make a move in the West, provided that the youngest emerging stars -- Steven Adams and Enes Kanter -- continue to improve at their rapid pace. The Thunder made a draft night trade and sent forward Serge Ibaka to Orlando for guard Victor Oladipo, forward Ersan Ilyasova and draft pick Domantas Sabonis, strengthening the teamss depth and shoring up a question mark at shooting guard.ddddddddddddBut Durant will have strong suitors, as reports say he will meet with Golden State, San Antonio, Miami, Boston and the Clippers in the coming days.Durant can maximize his earning potential by re-signing a contract with the Thunder that allows him to become a free agent again next year, then signing a longer deal when the salary cap takes another big jump. The Thunder will be able to pay him the most in the long term.Shortly after the season ended, Durant spoke as though hed be back.Are we going to work on our game and come back even better, or are we going to be excited about what we did? Durant said. Be complacent, or are we going to want more? I think thats the next step for us all -- thinking of how we can all be better.Durant said he would limit outside influences before making his choice.Ive got to just hear from me and hear what I want, and talk to myself on what I need and how I can make this thing work for myself, and just try to be a little selfish, he said. Obviously, Im going to have some advice, but also, I want to make the decision thats best for me.---Follow Cliff Brunt on Twitter: www.twitter.com/CliffBruntAP. ' ' '