DAVID ANDREWS, CENTER
Since joining the New England Patriots as a rookie in 2015, David Andrews has dedicated much of his community outreach efforts to honor, empower and connect with the true patriots of our nation. He has honored service members at the annual New England Patriots Foundation pinning ceremony for Vietnam veterans, helping thank and pin the brave men and women who served our country during the Vietnam conflict. He has consistently honored military-related causes through My Cause My Cleats, supporting organizations such as Warrior Dogs and Massachusetts Fallen Heroes. He empowers the military community through his efforts, having raised thousands of dollars as a result of auctioning off his cleats. David has made a deep impact through the connections he has made with the New England military community. He began forming connections in his rookie year when he visited the VA hospital in Providence, R.I. At this visit, he spoke to patients, signed autographs and most importantly thanked the veterans for their service. Since that visit, he has done countless community events focused on the military. He has attended baby showers for military mothers and brought baby boxes filled with diapers and other baby items to Fort Devens in Massachusetts. He led numerous youth football clinics on local military bases. Whenever there are service members or military families who are guests of the Patriots Foundation at training camp, he consistently makes time to greet and thank them. From the children of service members to those who are active duty, all the way to elderly veterans, David has connected with multiple generations a part of the military community. His dedication to giving back to those who have served make him an excellent candidate for this award.