Rob Gronkowski’s pickleball fundraiser raises thousands for The Jimmy Fund
- Rob Gronkowski and three former Patriots teammates played pickleball to benefit The Jimmy Fund and Gronk Nation Youth Foundation.
- The "Pickleball for a Purpose" event included a silent auction and meet-and-greet opportunities with Gronkowski.
- Funds raised will support cancer care and research at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute and build a playground in Boston.
Former New England Patriots tight end Rob “Gronk” Gronkowski seemed to prove he's nearly as good on the pickleball court as he was on the football field during his visit on May 28 to the new Bosse complex at the Natick Mall in Massachusetts.
Gronkowski and three former Patriots teammates played against seven two-person teams who represented the top fundraisers for the event, called “Pickleball for a Purpose” and benefiting The Jimmy Fund and Gronk Nation Foundation.
Gronkowski, 36, was joined on the court by former Pats wide receiver Julian Edelman; former linebacker Rob Ninkovich; and former safety Patrick Chung, as well as his brother, Gordie Gronkowski Jr., who played three seasons of minor league baseball.
Even in retirement, Gronk plays for the crowd
"Gronk," who won four Super Bowls — three with the Patriots and a fourth with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers — was his usual entertaining self, bringing many smiles and lots of laughs to the crowd of spectators.
Players on each of the top fundraising teams, along with their friends and family, were able to get photos taken with Gronkowski at the end of each match.
Who benefited from 'Pickleball for a Purpose'?
Besides the seven matches, a silent auction took place also benefiting The Jimmy Fund and Gronk Nation Youth Foundation, a charity founded by Gronkowski that is dedicated to inspiring youth to reach their maximum potential through sports, education, community and fitness.
The Jimmy Fund supports adult and pediatric cancer care and research at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute.
Half of the funds raised by “Pickleball for a Purpose” will be used to build a playground in Boston.
What is the Bosse pickleball complex?
Bosse is a 21-court pickleball complex in Massachusetts that opened last November at the Natick Mall. It's the brainchild of CEO and founder DJ Bosse, also its namesake, and Chief Operating Officer Chris Coombs, who's known for his French restaurant Deuxave in Boston.
Besides the pickleball courts, the 97,000-square-foot space also includes dining space, private rooms and a fitness center, spread across two floors.
Other amenities include electronic darts, a golf simulator and a sports theater.