2 Gronk spikes! Rob Gronkowski steals show at Boston Marathon, Red Sox game
Gronk
By Frank O'Laughlin
BOSTON — New England Patriots great Rob Gronkowski had himself quite the Patriots’ Day in Boston.
The full Gronk experience was on full display as the former superstar tight end served as the grand marshal for the Boston Marathon before throwing out the ceremonial first pitch before a game between the Boston Red Sox and the Cleveland Guardians at Fenway Park.
Gronk
128th Boston Marathon BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS - APRIL 15: Boston Marathon Grand Marshal and former New England Patriot Rob Gronkowski shows off the winner's trophy at the finish line during the 128th Boston Marathon on April 15, 2024 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Omar Rawlings/Getty Images) (Omar Rawlings/Getty Images)
128th Boston Marathon BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS - APRIL 15: Boston Marathon grand marshal and former player for the New England Patriots Rob Gronkowski poses with the trophy during the 128th Boston Marathon on April 15, 2024 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Paul Rutherford/Getty Images) (Paul Rutherford/Getty Images)
128th Boston Marathon BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS - APRIL 15: Boston Marathon grand marshal and former player for the New England Patriots Rob Gronkowski spikes a football next to the trophy during the 128th Boston Marathon on April 15, 2024 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Paul Rutherford/Getty Images) (Paul Rutherford/Getty Images)
Boston Marathon Former New England Patriots NFL football player Rob Gronkowski hoists the winner's trophy at the Boston Marathon, Monday, April 15, 2024, in Boston. Gronkowski is grand marshal of the race. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa) (Charles Krupa/AP)
128th Boston Marathon BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS - APRIL 15: Boston Marathon Grand Marshal and former New England Patriot Rob Gronkowski shows off the winner's trophy at the finish line during the 128th Boston Marathon on April 15, 2024 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Omar Rawlings/Getty Images) (Omar Rawlings/Getty Images)
128th Boston Marathon BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS - APRIL 15: Boston Marathon Grand Marshal and former New England Patriot Rob Gronkowski shows off the winner's trophy at the finish line during the 128th Boston Marathon on April 15, 2024 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Omar Rawlings/Getty Images) (Omar Rawlings/Getty Images)
Boston Marathon Former New England Patriots NFL football player Rob Gronkowski spikes a football on the finish line at the Boston Marathon, Monday, April 15, 2024, in Boston. Gronkowski is grand marshal of the race. (AP Photo/Steven Senne) (Steven Senne/AP)
128th Boston Marathon BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS - APRIL 15: Boston Marathon Grand Marshal and former New England Patriot Rob Gronkowski shows off the winner's trophy at the finish line during the 128th Boston Marathon on April 15, 2024 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Omar Rawlings/Getty Images) (Omar Rawlings/Getty Images)
128th Boston Marathon BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS - APRIL 15: Boston Marathon Grand Marshal and former New England Patriot Rob Gronkowski shows off the winner's trophy at the finish line during the 128th Boston Marathon on April 15, 2024 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Omar Rawlings/Getty Images) (Omar Rawlings/Getty Images)
Boston Marathon Grand Marshal and former New England Patriots NFL football player Rob Gronkowski poses at the start of the Boston Marathon, Monday, April 15, 2024, in Hopkinton, Mass. (AP Photo/Mary Schwalm) (Mary Schwalm/AP)
Cleveland Guardians v Boston Red Sox BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS - APRIL 15: Rob Gronkowski, former NFL player for the New England Patriots spikes the ball on the mound for a ceremonial first pitch before a game between the Boston Red Sox and the Cleveland Guardians at Fenway Park on April 15, 2024 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Jaiden Tripi/Getty Images) (Jaiden Tripi/Getty Images)
Guardians Red Sox Baseball Former New England Patriots NFL football player Rob Gronkowski spikes the ball instead of throwing it during the ceremonial first pitch before a baseball game between the Boston Red Sox and the Cleveland Guardians, Monday, April 15, 2024, in Boston. (AP Photo/Michael Dwyer) (Michael Dwyer/AP)
Rob Gronkowski Former New England Patriots NFL football player Rob Gronkowski reacts after spiking the ball instead of throwing it during the ceremonial first pitch before a baseball game between the Boston Red Sox and the Cleveland Guardians, Monday, April 15, 2024, in Boston. (AP Photo/Michael Dwyer) (Michael Dwyer/AP)
Cleveland Guardians v Boston Red Sox BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS - APRIL 15: Tanner Houck #89 of the Boston Red Sox, left, and Rob Gronkowski, former NFL player for the New England Patriots, jump together during a pre-game ceremony before a game between the Boston Red Sox and the Cleveland Guardians at Fenway Park on April 15, 2024 in Boston, Massachusetts. All players are wearing the number 42 in honor of Jackie Robinson Day. (Photo by Jaiden Tripi/Getty Images) (Jaiden Tripi/Getty Images)
Gronkowski spiked a football on the finish line at the Boston Marathon, showcasing his outsized personality that fans across the region grew to love during his time in New England.
Gronkowski, a prolific touchdown scorer and a favorite target of Tom Brady, served up another spike for the first pitch of the Red Sox game.
A big part of the Gronk experience was the forceful spikes he’d deliver after all of his touchdowns.