The “GRONK BOWL” Why Not!
He entered a room at So-Fi Stadium for a press conference leading up to this year’s STARCO BRANDS LA BOWL hosted by GRONK. He was the games namesake who spoke to the media and coaches. A towering 6-foot 6 Rob Gronkowski -known as the “GRONK” looked as if he could still play the game today.
By Earl Heath | Contributing Sports Writer
He entered a room at So-Fi Stadium for a press conference leading up to this year’s STARCO BRANDS LA BOWL hosted by GRONK. He was the games namesake who spoke to the media and coaches. A towering 6-foot 6 Rob Gronkowski -known as the “GRONK” looked as if he could still play the game today.
“This (then known as the Las Vegas Bowl) was the last game I played in college.”
As a freshman we played against UCLA and Matthew Slater (son of RAM legend Jackie). “I had a really good game against him.”
The two would be long time teammates with the New England Patriots
and win three Super Bowls together. “Matthew is the best special team’s player ever to play in the NFL. He not only is a good player he’s a great person off the field. He represents UCLA in a great way. I want to send a big shout out to him.”
The game is in its third year and was hosted by Jimmy Kimmel the previous two seasons. As of today we cannot think of any NFL player that has a BOWL game named after him. There are a few reasons why the game should be named The STARCO BRANDS GRONK BOWL.
He’s a ball of energy who visited some 400 young people at LaTijera Middle School as part of a “DAY of PLAY” and fun where he engaged in football, soccer and basketball. He was like the Pied piper of Inglewood. He fired up jump shots, he quarterbacked a flag team.
“It good to have a World Champion football player come to our school,” said 8th grader Dajon Green. “I’m glad he came he’s like a cool guy.” Green also plays linebacker, wide receiver and running back for the Crenshaw Cougars youth football team.
“It’s fun to have a real NFL player here,” said 13-year-old Albert Smith. “I’m glad he came to our school.”
GRONK must have taken a couple a thousand selfies with fans during the week and on the sideline all the way up to kick-off.
The Amhurst, New York Native danced with hundreds at a pep rally on the eve of the game at the American Airlines Plaza.
On game day he sang the National Anthem with The New Directions Veteran Choir and they received rousing applause at the conclusion. Between periods he raced a dog on the field and won.
UCLA won over Boise State 35-22 in front of a STARCO LA BOWL record crowd of 32,780. He presented the post-game belt to the BRUINS and MVP- Offensive to QB Ethan Garbers while defense honor went to Darius Muasau who had 11 tackles.
With all that went down in a great Bowl game -Why not name it The “STARCO BRANDS GRONK BOWL”
