By John Balch
News-Leader Staff
“The whole entire nation felt it!” former NFL all-pro tight end and T-Mobile pitchman Rob “Gronk” Gronkowski told a packed house last Friday morning as helped deliver the $1 million grand prize check to Dierks High School for winning the nationwide Friday Night 5G Lights sweepstakes.
Gronk, along with T-Mobile CEO Srini Gopalan were on hand for the big event and both marveled at the community drive involved and the fact that small-town Dierks had earned close to two million votes to win while the other 24 schools in the top 25 totaled just six million votes.
“Your pride and passion has been incredible to watch,” Gopalan said.
Gronk and the CEO also seemed equally impressed with the enthusiasm of the massive crowd gathered which was being hyped up by swirling lights and a DJ’s banter and music.
“This isn’t just about football,” Outlaw Head Coach and Athletic Director Paul Ernest told the crowd. “It’s about heart, hard work and hometown pride.”
As this year’s sweepstakes winner, Dierks will receive a major football stadium transformation valued at $1 million along with a Gronk Fitness weight room renovation, consultation with stadium experience experts, an all-expenses-paid trip to the SEC championship game on Dec 6 for 16 school representatives and a big tailgate party reveal for the finalized upgrades in 2026.
As the check was being held aloft by Gronk with CEO Gopalan and Coach Ernest and the school’s new banner declaring Dierks the contest winner was unveiled, tons confetti began to fill the air. The presentation ended with Gronk onstage, still holding the check high, swaying and singing “We Are The Champions” with those in attendance, including hundreds of school kids.
As much as the crowd loved Gronk, the real crowd favorite seemed to be country music major upstart Bailey Zimmerman, whose three-piece started the event earlier with a rendition of the National Anthem.
“BZ” and band came back to the stage when the confetti cleared and performed a lively set featuring songs that had the student body crowding the stage and singing every word, all while filming with their phones.
Zimmerman, an Illinois native, is a multi-platinum singer-songwriter and has been described as one of country music’s “brightest stars.” After first gaining attention by posting original songs to social media in 2020, he found himself in the spotlight with the viral success of “Fall in Love,” which made him the fastest debut country artist to reach No. 1 on the Billboard country airplay charts in over a decade.
The event also included recognition of local and state officials in attendance and the ones who got the ball rolling with entering the contest, including Krystal Greene, Kara Tedford and DHS teacher Adriana Hogg. The day’s events were not only confined to inside the gym, as several vendors and activities were on school grounds to continue the party outside.
As Coach Ernest noted in his opening remarks, “This has been an incredible morning, one you’ll remember for years to come.”
