Rob Gronkowski says the Boston Marathon reminds him of the Duck Boat parades

“Hopefully no beers are chucked at my car this time!”

Boston Marathon Grand Marshal and former New England Patriot Rob Gronkowski catches a football at the finish line of the 2024 Boston Marathon.

By Faith Pinnow

April 15, 2024

It’s the 128th Boston Marathon, and according to former Patriots tight end Rob Gronkowski, it’s the “best day ever.”

Gronkowski, this year’s Boston Marathon Grand Marshal, told WCVB’s Antoinette Antonio and Doug Meehan that he’s honored to be involved in such a historic event.

“I’m just excited for it and it’s gonna remind me a lot of the parades we had here. I had three parades here in New England on those Duck Boats” Gronkowski said. “Let me tell you, those were the best experiences of my life, and today will remind me of those days.”

After being drafted by the Patriots in 2010, Gronkowski played in New England for nine seasons and earned three Super Bowl rings with the team.

The 6-foot-6 former tight end brought some football flair to his race day duties, too. After hyping up runners at the start line in Hopkinton, the grand marshal headed to the finish line and spiked a football on Boylston, a nod to his iconic end-zone celebration.

Rob Gronkowski threw out the first pitch at the Boston Red Sox game today. It went exactly how you expected. 😂pic.twitter.com/4N1fftSEgw
— Ari Meirov (@MySportsUpdate) April 15, 2024

“It’s like a 26-mile parade!” Gronkowski said before splitting off the race route to throw the opening pitch at the Red Sox game. “Hopefully no beers are chucked at my car this time!”