Cesar Tordesillas

New England Patriots tight end Rob Gronkowski allayed worries that he was putting his health and career in jeopardy when he was videotaped performing a wrestling move on a friend while his arm was in a cast.

"I totally understand that. I would never do that, put myself in jeopardy," Gronkowski told ESPN Radio's "Mike and Mike in the Morning".

Gronkowski was criticized by Patriots fans after he was videotaped by a fan while performing a wrestling move on a friend at a Las Vegas nightclub in February. The video was later posted on celebrity website TMZ.com.

"They're looking out for ... they're big fans of the Patriots and they just want to see the team do well. I totally understand where the fans are coming [from], where they don't want [me] to put myself in jeopardy of getting hurt," Gronkowski said.

"To the max, I love going out there every week and performing to the best of my ability, and I love going out there playing. I understand where they are coming from. They just don't want to see me hurt again. That's totally understandable," he added.

Gronkowski first broke the arm in a game against the Indianapolis Colts on Nov. 18 but returned for the regular-season finale after missing five games.

However, he broke the arm again early in the first quarter of the Patriots' divisional-round loss to the Baltimore Ravens. He played 11 games in 2012, catching 55 balls for 790 yards and 11 touchdowns.

The 23-year-old Gronkowski, who has earned a reputation as a partier, admitted during the interview that he is still adjusting to life in the spotlight.

"It's a little different," he said. "Growing up, just doing whatever you want and no one looking at you and no one really caring, and now you go out and I was in the airport on the way here and everyone has their camera out videoing me walking through the airport."

Gronkowski also provided an update on his recovery from three different surgeries on his left forearm, the last one for an infection.

"I'm doing a lot better, definitely. Feeling a lot better. My arm is feeling way better than it was during the playoffs and regular season when I broke it," Gronkowski said.

Gronkowski expects to return to the weight room in the next two weeks.

Patriots Tight End Rob Gronkowski Allays Fears About Health