Guest coach Rob Gronkowski throws a water balloon at the student section during Arizona football’s 2021 spring game at Arizona Stadium on April 24, 2021.

Rob Gronkowski is coming back to Tucson.Β 

The former NFL superstar and Arizona Wildcat is returning to the Old Pueblo on Oct. 27 for the Barstool Sports Arizona Bowl luncheon at the Tucson Convention Center, the bowl game announced Monday morning. Two days later on Oct. 29, the UA hosts USC for homecoming.Β 

Gronkowski, who recently retired from the NFL for the second time after two seasons with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, becomes the latest notable Wildcat to speak at the annual Arizona Bowl luncheon. Last year, former UA baseball star and Hall of Famer Trevor Hoffman was the keynote speaker alongside longtime Arizona softball head coach Mike Candrea. Former UA football player Jay Dobyns, who famously infiltrated the Hell's Angels motorcycle gang as an ATF agent, was a featured speaker in 2018.Β 

Gronkowski starred for the Wildcats under then-head coach Mike Stoops from 2007-09, before he was a second-round draft pick by the New England Patriots in 2010. "Gronk" emerged as one of the top tight ends in NFL history over 11 seasons. During his NFL career in New England and Tampa Bay, Gronkowski was a five-time Pro Bowler, four-time All-Pro selection, a four-time Super Bowl champion and was named the 2014 NFL Comeback Player of the Year.

Gronkowski returned to Tucson for the first time in 10 years in 2021, when he was an honorary coach with Tedy Bruschi for the UA football spring game.Β Β 

Tickets for the Arizona Bowl luncheon can be purchased at its website.Β 


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Contact sports producer Justin Spears at 573-4312 orΒ jspears@tucson.com. On Twitter: @JustinESports