PHOTOS: 'Gronk' Touches Down on Seacoast

Bob Blais and his girlfriend traveled all the way from Lunenburg, Mass., to meet New England Patriots Tight End Rob Gronkowski Tuesday night and it was no easy task.

After getting injured in a motorcycle accident two years ago, Blais, a former Manchester resident, is now in a wheelchair and he couldn't get up the stairs to see Gronkowski, a.k.a. "Gronk."

As soon as Gronk learned about this fan, he rushed down the stairs like he was running a quick route for Pats QB Tom Brady and shook Blais' hand. He also autographed an AFC Pro Bowl helmet that Blais brought.

Meeting Gronkowski in Portsmouth was a real thrill for Blais, who said he was a former Arena Football League player who once suited up for the Manchester Wolves.

"It was awesome. I honestly didn't think I was going to be able to get in here and three people lifted me up," Blais said.

Blais was the first of dozens of devoted Patriots fans who paid the $69 ticket price to meet Gronk and have him autograph their Patriots jerseys, football helmets and photos of the tightend in action.

Meeting Gronkowski was an early birthday present for Kelly Ernest of Newmarket. She and her friend, Mariah Smith of Portsmouth both sported Gronk jerseys and savored their brief encounter with the All-Pro player.

Smith described meeting Gronk as "cool and surreal."

Mary Jackson of Somersworth had Gronk sign a silver pair of custom made stilello shoes she had a designer in Massachusetts make for her after a friend of her's sent her a photo of the silver shoe to her Facebook page. "To have the shoes signed by him is amazing," said Jackson.

Mark Monday and his two children, Mark Jr. and Sam, all of Dorchester, Mass., said the trip to Portsmouth to meet the Patriots star was well worth it.

"He's charismatic and he's one of our favorite players on the team for a couple of years now," sair Mark Monday.

"Gronk" is one of the most popular New England sports athletes these days and his visit to The Page drew a multitude of Pats fans. Gronkowski recently signed a $54 million contract to play for the Pats and was an All-Pro tight end in his rookie season.

Gronkowski's visit marks the third time The Page will have hosted a New England sports celebrity. The Portsmouth restaurant hosted in February and in June.

Here is an image gallery of Gronkowski's visit to The Page on Tuesday night.