BOSTON—The B.A.A. is delighted to announce that 4X NFL Super Bowl Rob Gronkowski is the recipient of the 2024 Patriots’ Award. This award is presented to a person or organization who is patriotic, philanthropic, and inspirational, and fosters goodwill and sportsmanship. The Patriots’ Award further unifies the Boston Marathon with Patriots’ Day, the holiday on which the race has been held since 1897.
Known for his impressive athletic achievements, Gronk’s impact on New England extends far beyond the football field. Along with his family, he founded the Gronk Nation Youth Foundation which is dedicated to inspiring youth to reach their maximum potential through sports, education, community, and fitness. The current project of the Foundation involves constructing Gronk Playground on the Charles River Esplanade.
Gronkowski said, “Giving back has always been a priority in my life. 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.”
Nicole Juri, B.A.A. Director of Development said, “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.
“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’s amazing work will be applauded at the B.A.A. Gives Back Celebration presented by Bank of America on Saturday April 13, and in his role as Grand Marshal he will tour down the marathon course from Hopkinton to Boston in an All-Electric 2024 Honda Prologue delivering the trophy to the finish line ahead of the athletes on Monday April 15.
Last week it was announced that Black Girls RUN! is the recipient of the 2024 Dick and Rick Hoyt Award which will also be presented at the B.A.A. Gives Back Celebration. This award is presented to a person or organization who exhibits their spirit through advocacy and inclusion.
Black Girls RUN! is a community to inspire ALL women, especially Black women to be healthy & active. They are a friend and partner of the B.A.A. through the Bank of America Boston Marathon Official Charity Program, the Boston Running Collaborative, B.A.A. Gives Back Grant recipient and participant at our events year-round. Join us in applauding all their work nationally and in supporting their goal and mission. We will celebrate their amazing work at our B.A.A. Gives Back Event this April.
Past recipients of the Patriots’ Award:
- Robert and Myra Kraft and the New England Patriots (2002)
- Red Auerbach and the Red Auerbach Youth Foundation (2003)
- Ron Burton and the Ron Burton Training Village (2004)
- Boston Red Sox Foundation (2005)
- Rick and Dick Hoyt (2006)
- Joan Benoit Samuelson (2007)
- Mike Andrews and the Jimmy Fund (2008)
- Boston bartenders and philanthropists Eddie Doyle and Tommy Leonard (2009)
- New England Patriot and three-time Super Bowl champion Tedy Bruschi (2010)
- Carol Fulp, Senior Vice President of Brand Communications and Corporate Social Responsibility for John Hancock Financial Services (2011)
- Boston Red Sox pitcher and active community philanthropist Tim Wakefield (2012)
- Boston Marathon Shadow Run Founder, Lt. Colonel Rodney Freeman (2013)
- One Fund Boston, Inc. (2014)
- Thomas M. Menino Fund for Boston (2015)
- Adrianne Haslet (2016)
- Meb Keflezighi (2017)
- David Fortier (2018)
- Linda Driscoll, Dream Big! (2019)
- Marty Walsh (2022)
- David Ortiz (2023)
Past recipients of the Dick and Rick Hoyt Award:
- Dick Hoyt (2021)
- Chris Nickic (2022)
- Adrianne Haslet (2023)
Click HERE for more information on the B.A.A. Gives Back Celebration presented by Bank of America.