Former New England Patriots All-Pro tight end Rob Gronkowski hugs USAA CEO/President Wayne Peacock with BlackJack the Army Mule mascot and Bill the Navy Goat mascot on the sides. (Facebook)
BOSTON (Tribune News Service) — Rob Gronkowski is planning on attending his first Army-Navy game when the historic rivalry kicks off at Gillette Stadium on Saturday.
The former Patriots great, who was at Faneuil Hall Friday as part of the ceremony gifting two vehicles to deserving military families (one Army, one Navy), was pumped up about watching the game.
Gronkowski, who still has a home in the Foxborough area, told the assembled media he got a not-so-subtle hint that the game was a few days away.
“I’m so excited to be at the game tomorrow. I’ve heard so many great things about the game. The tradition. All the helicopters flying around,” he said. “I live in Foxborough, and let me tell you, last night, my house was shaking, about a 30-minute shake, because they had all the fly-overs practicing their routines to get ready for the game on Saturday.”
Gronkowski said he’s watched highlights from the game, but most of his knowledge about the legendary rivalry comes from word of mouth. His former teammate Joe Cardona is a Naval Academy graduate.
“I heard the atmosphere is just ridiculous. There’s so much energy,” he said. “I heard it’s an awesome game as well. Looking forward to it. I can’t wait.”
Gronkowski sure pumped up the crowd assembled in Faneuil Hall for the event, which was part of the National Auto Body Council’s Recycled Ride program. He arrived in a black Suburban, and put on a white Army-Navy pullover before getting out of the SUV. He posed for pictures with the recipients, and took selfies with other fans in attendance prior to unveiling the two vehicles and handing the keys over to the two families.
He told the crowd it was great for him to be back in Boston.
“It’s the city of champions here in Boston. It’s my home. I played nine years here. New England will forever be home,” he said. “I have so many great relationships here, friends and family throughout the whole city, throughout the whole New England region ... the atmosphere is always great in the city of Boston. It’s a sports town, that’s for sure. And it’s great to have America’s game right here, Army versus Navy, right in my backyard at Gillette Stadium.”
Did Gronkowski want to predict a winner?
“Since the Army crowd was a little bit louder today, I’m going to go with Army,” he said with a smile.
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