New England Patriots icon Rob Gronkowski will serve as the grand marshal of the Boston Marathon next month, the Boston Athletic Association announced Tuesday.In his role as grand marshal, Gronkowski will tour down the marathon course from Hopkinton to Boston to deliver the champions' trophy to the finish line ahead of the winners on Monday, April 15.Boston Red Sox legend David Ortiz served as the grand marshal for last year's Boston Marathon.The B.A.A. also announced that Gronkowski is the recipient of this year's Patriots' Award, which is given to a person or organization who is patriotic, philanthropic and inspirational, and fosters goodwill and sportsmanship.Former winners of the B.A.A. Patriots' Award include Ortiz, 2014 Boston Marathon champion Meb Keflezighi, late Boston Red Sox knuckleballer Tim Wakefield, Patriots Hall of Famer Tedy Bruschi, late Boston Marathon icons Rick and Dick Hoyt, legendary Boston Celtics coach and executive Red Auerbach and Patriots owner Robert Kraft.Gronkowski, 34, is a 6-foot-6 former tight end who also has a larger-than-life personality. He played the first nine of his 11 NFL seasons with the New England Patriots, winning three Super Bowls with the team. After a brief retirement in 2019, Gronkowski won a fourth Super Bowl in his first of two seasons with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. He retired from football for a second time in 2022. Gronk's impact on New England, however, extends far beyond the football field. He and his family founded the Gronk Nation Youth Foundation, which is dedicated to inspiring youth to reach their maximum potential through sports, education, community and fitness. The foundation is currently constructing the Gronk Playground on the Charles River Esplanade. "Giving back has always been a priority in my life," Gronkowski said in a statement. "When I first got to New England, Mr. Kraft and the Patriots Foundation ingrained in the team the importance of giving back to the community that gives back to us. And this community has supported me throughout my entire career. Now it's time for me to give back to help set others up for their own journey, especially the youth. This is why the Gronk Playground project is close to my heart. My family and I are honored to be able to give kids an awesome new space to play in the city.""We are honored to have Rob Gronkowski as part of our Boston Athletic Association's long-standing traditions and celebrations this year. The work that he has done and continues to do for the Boston community exemplifies what we look to recognize with our Patriots’ Award," B.A.A. director of development Nicole Juri said in a statement. "Having him also serve as grand marshal on race day will bring a lot of added joy and excitement for the thousands of spectators who will be lining the streets from Hopkinton to Boston."Gronkowski will be presented with the Patriots' Award during the B.A.A. Gives Back Celebration presented by Bank of America, which is scheduled for Saturday, April 13. Click here to see previous winners of the Patriots' Award.The 2024 Dick and Rick Hoyt Award, which is given to a person or organization who exhibits their spirit through advocacy and inclusion, will also be presented during the B.A.A. Gives Back Celebration.This year's recipient of the Dick and Rick Hoyt Award is Black Girls RUN!, a community running group that inspires all women, especially Black women, to be healthy and active. The group is a B.A.A. partner through the Bank of America Boston Marathon Official Charity Program, the Boston Running Collaborative, B.A.A. Gives Back Grant recipient and participant at B.A.A. events year-round. Past winners of the B.A.A. Dick and Rick Hoyt Award are Dick Hoyt, neurodivergent athlete Chris Nikic and 2013 Boston Marathon bombing survivor and para-athlete Adrianne Haslet.WCVB Channel 5 is the official broadcast partner of the Boston Marathon.Related story: