Former NFL tight end Rob Gronkowski is no stranger to being the center of attention on a football field. Though "Gronk" will be stepping into a slightly different spotlight right before the L.A. Bowl kicks off Saturday night.
Gronkowski is singing the national anthem ahead of the college football matchup between UCLA and Boise State at SoFi Stadium.
The L.A. Bowl—hosted by Jimmy Kimmel the last two years—reached an agreement with the four-time Super Bowl champion in October to be part of what is now known as the L.A. Bowl Hosted By Gronk. And apparently that involves a musical number. During an appearance on this week's Let's Go! podcast with his former quarterback, Tom Brady, Gronkowski assured fans that they need not worry—he will be performing alongside the New Directions Veteran Choir.
And that's probably a good thing. "Gronk" had former teammate Julian Edelman by his side when he performed an anthem audition of sorts for the L.A. Bowl committee. Edelman said that he'd need "10 more shots for you to go on so I can keep listening," per Gronkowski.
"I've gotten a lot better," Gronkowski said to Brady on Monday's episode. "But the fans are all gonna be drunk, so I'm gonna sound good to them."
"You're gonna sound great," Brady responded. "You just smile up there and everyone is gonna have the best feeling in the world. I'll be watching just for that."
"I'm gonna start raising the roof," Gronkowski, who will also take part in dance-offs during the game, said, "get everyone screaming while I'm screaming so I sound good."
Gronkowski and Brady formed perhaps the greatest QB-TE duo in NFL history during their 11 seasons together with the New England Patriots and Tampa Bay Buccaneers. The four-time first-team All-Pro caught 621 passes for 9,286 yards and 92 regular-season touchdowns—most of them from Brady—during his soon-to-be Hall of Fame career.
But the Arizona product may be just as big of a star off the field.
The 34-year-old is now a football analyst for FOX. He has also been a guest host for New Year's Eve in Times Square, and even has some musical experience. During his first of two retirements from football, Gronkowski appeared in Season 3 of The Masked Singer.
Now the former tight end can add "bowl-game host" to his random resume. Oh, then there's the Gronkowski-inspired drink that of-age fans in attendance can purchase. Named after the well-known party animal, "Gronk's Cooler" contains bourbon and strawberry lemonade with the option of vodka-infused whipped cream, according to The Los Angeles Times.
"Rob is one-of-a-kind," said Adolfo Romero, interim executive director of the L.A. Bowl, per the Times. "He was full of creative ideas to enhance the bowl game for fans and put his mark on it as the host. When he expressed interest in singing the national anthem, we knew this could be a special moment for everyone in attendance."
The 2023 L.A. Bowl between UCLA (7-5) and Boise State (8-5) is scheduled to kick off at 7:30 p.m. ET Saturday. The prime-time game will air on ABC and ESPN+ toward the end of bowl season's first day.
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About the writer
Robert Read is a Sports Reporter at Newsweek based in Florida. He previously spent four years working at The Daily ... Read more
