FOXBOROUGH, Mass. -- Six-time New England Patriots Pro Bowl special-teams player Matthew Slater thought he was going to Bible study on Monday. Instead, he found out in front of teammates and coaches that he was voted by his NFL peers to receive the prestigious Athletes in Action/Bart Starr Award.
The award honors the NFL player who "best exemplifies outstanding character and leadership in the home, on the field and in the community."
Slater's father, Pro Football Hall of Famer Jackie Slater, received the Bart Starr Award in 1996. The Slaters are the first father-son combination to be recognized with the award.