Former NFL Star Rob Gronkowski Returns as Grand Marshal for Indy 500 Snake Pit

Four-time Super Bowl champion Rob Gronkowski is returning to the Indianapolis 500 Coors Light Snake Pit as grand marshal for the second consecutive year, race organizers announced Monday ahead of the sold-out event at Indianapolis Motor Speedway. 

“Last year was my first-ever Indy 500,” Gronkowski said in a statement released by Indianapolis Motor Speedway. “The Indy 500 Coors Light Snake Pit is one of the coolest combinations of sports and music out there and in the ultimate venue. I had to come back to keep the party going and celebrate the biggest race in the world.” 

Gronkowski is widely recognized for his NFL career with the New England Patriots, where he played from 2010 through 2018 alongside quarterback Tom Brady. During his nine seasons in New England, the tight end helped the Patriots secure three Super Bowl titles while becoming one of the league’s most productive offensive players.

After initially retiring in 2019, Gronkowski returned to the NFL the following year to reunite with Brady on the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. The pair went on to capture another Super Bowl championship during the 2020 season, giving Gronkowski his fourth career title before he retired again in 2022.

Over the course of his 11-year NFL career, Gronkowski earned five Pro Bowl selections and four first-team All-Pro honors. He was also named the NFL Comeback Player of the Year during his time with New England and later received recognition on both the NFL 2010s All-Decade Team and the NFL 100th Anniversary All-Time Team.

The former tight end now works as an analyst for Fox Sports, appearing on “Fox NFL Sunday” and “Fox NFL Kickoff” during the football season.

As grand marshal of the Snake Pit, Gronkowski will participate in festivities surrounding one of the Indianapolis 500’s largest race-day entertainment events. The annual concert, staged in the infield near Turn 3 of the speedway’s 2.5-mile oval, has become a major electronic dance music attraction tied to the race weekend.

This year’s lineup will be headlined by Grammy Award-winning DJ and producer Zedd, with additional performances from Crankdat, Wooli, it’s murph, and Wax Motif, according to Indianapolis Motor Speedway.

The 110th running of the Indianapolis 500 presented by Gainbridge is scheduled for May 24, with Fox’s race coverage beginning at 10 a.m. ET. Additional entertainment during race week includes performances by Counting Crows and Switchfoot during Carb Day festivities on May 22, while Indiana Pacers players Pascal Siakam and Andrew Nembhard are set to serve as grand marshals for the Lucas Oil 500 Festival Parade. 

Singer Jordin Sparks will perform the national anthem before the race, marking her third appearance at the event. “The Voice” alum Ephraim Owens will perform “America the Beautiful.”