Eight-year-old Ryan Feeney hopped out of his seat as soon as he saw the guest of honor walk into the ballroom for the annual Make-A-Wish Gala at the InterContinental Hotel Saturday night.
“Gronk!” Feeney called out, scurrying his way over to greet newly retired Patriots tight end Rob Gronkowski, who had just entered the room arm-in-arm with girlfriend Camille Kostek. Gronkowski, in a tan suit, and Kostek, in a taupe gown, paused their walk to their seats to briefly say hi.
Feeney had previously met Gronkowski in September 2017, when the three-time Super Bowl champion made a surprise appearance at the unveiling of a Patriots-themed backyard football field at Feeney’s home in Melrose.