Rob Gronkowski made that announcement in a video on Saturday, as the four-time Super Bowl champion tight end is taking over as the host of college football’s LA Bowl, according to The Hollywood Reporter.
Gronkowski, 34, signed a multiyear deal to partner with the December bowl game and will replace late-night talk show host Jimmy Kimmel as the face of the postseason contest, The Associated Press reported. LA Bowl Hosted By Gronk will be played at SoFi Stadium on Dec. 16 and match the No. 1 team from the Mountain West Conference and the No. 5 squad from the Pac-12 Conferences, according to The Hollywood Reporter.
Bringing a SPIKE to Bowl Season 💥🏈 Introducing the new host of the #LABowl, @RobGronkowski!
The 2023 LA Bowl Hosted By Gronk kicks off Saturday, December 16 at @SoFiStadium 🏟️
Kimmel had hosted the game during its initial two seasons.
Gronkowski becomes the first former player to have a bowl game named after him, Sports Illustrated reported.
“Football has brought me so many incredible opportunities, and I’m thrilled to return to college football as the host of my very own bowl game,” Gronkowski said in a statement. “We are going to light up college football bowl season. This game is going to be epic, so I better see everyone at the LA Bowl Hosted by Gronk at SoFi Stadium on Dec. 16!
“Jimmy was a fantastic host and brought a lot of elements to the game. But it’s my turn now and I’m going to turn it up, that’s for sure.”
Gronkowski attended the University of Arizona, and the former tight end said “the whole goal” is for his alma mater to play in this bowl game, according to Sports Illustrated.
“Rob is larger than life and an outstanding representation of football at the highest level,” Chris Sloan, head of global partnerships for SoFi Stadium and the bowl game, told The Hollywood Reporter in a statement. “The LA Bowl Hosted By Gronk continues to merge the world of competitive sports with top-notch entertainment, and we cannot wait for the fans to experience college bowl season with Rob Gronkowski.”
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Through the years FOXBOROUGH, MA - CIRCA 2010: In this handout image provided by the NFL, Rob Gronkowski of the New England Patriots poses for his 2010 NFL headshot circa 2010 in Foxborough, Massachusetts. (Photo by NFL via Getty Images) (Handout/Getty Images)
Through the years BOSTON, MA - DECEMBER 19: Tight end Rob Gronkowski #87 of the New England Patriots acknowledges the fasn during the game between the Boston Bruins and the Montreal Canadiens at the TD Garden on December 19, 2011 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images) (Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)
Through the years LOS ANGELES, CA - JULY 11: (L-R) Brothers Dan Gronkowski, Gordie Gronkowski, Rob Gronkowski and Glenn Gronkowski arrive at the 2012 ESPY Awards at Nokia Theatre L.A. Live on July 11, 2012 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Frazer Harrison/Getty Images) (Frazer Harrison/Getty Images)
Through the years EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ - OCTOBER 20: Rob Gronkowski #87 of the New England Patriots runs with Darrin Walls #30 of the New York Jets during their game at MetLife Stadium on October 20, 2013 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Photo by Jeff Zelevansky/Getty Images) (Jeff Zelevansky/Getty Images)
Through the years FOXBORO, MA - OCTOBER 27: Rob Gronkowski #87 of the New England Patriots looks on from the side line during a game with the Miami Dolphins in the first half at Gillette Stadium on October 27, 2013 in Foxboro, Massachusetts. (Photo by Jim Rogash/Getty Images) (Jim Rogash/Getty Images)
Through the years FOXBORO, MA - NOVEMBER 03: Rob Gronkowski #87 of the New England Patriots misses catching a touchdown pass in front of Shamarko Thomas #29 of the Pittsburgh Steelers in the second quarter at Gillette Stadium on November 3, 2013 in Foxboro, Massachusetts. Pass interference was called on the play. (Photo by Jared Wickerham/Getty Images) (Jared Wickerham/Getty Images)
Through the years HOUSTON, TX - DECEMBER 01: Rob Gronkowski #87 of the New England Patriots works out on the field before the game against the Houston Texans at Reliant Stadium on December 1, 2013 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Scott Halleran/Getty Images) (Scott Halleran/Getty Images)
Through the years GLENDALE, AZ - FEBRUARY 01: Rob Gronkowski #87 (L) and Tom Brady #12 of the New England Patriots celebrate while holding up the Vince Lombardi Trophy after defeating the Seattle Seahawks during Super Bowl XLIX at University of Phoenix Stadium on February 1, 2015 in Glendale, Arizona. The Patriots defeated the Seahawks 28-24. (Photo by Rob Carr/Getty Images) (Rob Carr/Getty Images)
Through the years LOS ANGELES, CA - MARCH 09: New England Patriots football player Rob Gronkowski throws a Clipper color football to the fans during a timeout in the game between the Minnesota Timberwolves and the Los Angeles Clippers at Staples Center on March 9, 2015 in Los Angeles, California. The Clippers won 89-76. (Photo by Stephen Dunn/Getty Images) (Stephen Dunn/Getty Images)
Through the years HOLLYWOOD, CALIFORNIA - MARCH 29: NFL player Rob Gronkowski attends as athletes and YouTube stars team for DOOM Videogame Tournament at Siren Studios on March 29, 2016 in Hollywood, California. (Photo by Jonathan Leibson/Getty Images for Bethesda Softworks) (Jonathan Leibson)
Through the years HOLLYWOOD, CALIFORNIA - MARCH 29: NFL player Rob Gronkowski attends as athletes and YouTube stars team for DOOM Videogame Tournament at Siren Studios on March 29, 2016 in Hollywood, California. (Photo by Jonathan Leibson/Getty Images for Bethesda Softworks) (Jonathan Leibson)
Through the years BOSTON, MA - APRIL 3: Rob Gronkowski #87 of the New England Patriots is tackled by Tom Brady #12 after stealing his jersey before the opening day game between the Boston Red Sox and the Pittsburgh Pirates at Fenway Park on April 3, 2017 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images) (Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)
Through the years LANDOVER, MARYLAND - JANUARY 09: Tight end Rob Gronkowski #87 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers watches from the sidelines prior to the game against the Washington Football Team at FedExField on January 09, 2021 in Landover, Maryland. (Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images) (Patrick Smith/Getty Images)
Through the years TAMPA, FLORIDA - FEBRUARY 07: Rob Gronkowski #87 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers reacts after defeating the Kansas City Chiefs in Super Bowl LV at Raymond James Stadium on February 07, 2021 in Tampa, Florida. The Buccaneers defeated the Chiefs 31-9. (Photo by Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images) (Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images)
Through the years TAMPA, FLORIDA - FEBRUARY 07: Rob Gronkowski #87 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers spikes the ball after scoring a 17-yard touchdown in the second quarter against the Kansas City Chiefs in Super Bowl LV at Raymond James Stadium on February 07, 2021 in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images) (Patrick Smith/Getty Images)
Through the years TAMPA, FLORIDA - FEBRUARY 10: Rob Gronkowski #87 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers celebrates during the Tampa Bay Buccaneers Super Bowl boat parade on February 10, 2021 after defeating the Kansas City Chiefs 31-9 in Super Bowl LV in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images) (Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images)
Through the years TUCSON, ARIZONA - APRIL 24: NFL athlete and University of Arizona Alum, Rob Gronkowski catches a pass while coaching Team Red in the Arizona Spring game at Arizona Stadium on April 24, 2021 in Tucson, Arizona. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images) (Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
