FOXBOROUGH, Mass. – New England Patriots safety and special teams standout Brenden Schooler was presented with the 2024 New England Patriots Ron Burton Community Service Award at the Patriots Premiere on the field at Gillette Stadium tonight. Schooler is the 22nd Patriots player to receive the annual award, which recognizes outstanding commitment in giving back to the community.
Patriots Chairman and CEO Robert Kraft presented Schooler the award, which is named in honor of the late Ron Burton, the first player drafted by the team in the inaugural year of 1960 and a community leader whose widespread charitable work was a model for how a Patriots player can make an impact off the field.
"From the time Brenden arrived in New England, he has eagerly volunteered to participate in every possible community initiative we support," said Kraft. "Brenden's most impressive community quality is the depth of the relationships he builds with those he meets. He frequently keeps in touch with many of the young cancer patients he has met during his hospital visits and is always very personable and engaged when volunteering for our community events. He has been a special Patriots ambassador, positively impacting the lives of others. We look forward to many more years of his contributions, both on and off the field."
Schooler originally joined New England as a rookie free agent out of Texas in 2022. He has led the team in special teams tackles and finished second in the NFL in each of his first two NFL seasons, with 14 special teams tackles in 2022 and 13 special teams tackles in 2023. He earned PFWA All-Rookie Team honors for special teams in 2022 and was named to the NFLPA All-Pro Team for special teams in 2023.
Schooler joins a select group of Patriots players to receive the Ron Burton Community Service Award. Past recipients are Jonathan Jones (2023), Deatrich Wise Jr. (2022), Lawrence Guy (2021), David Andrews (2020), Kyle Van Noy (2019), Joe Cardona (2018), Jordan Richards (2017), Rob Gronkowski (2016), Nate Solder (2015), Devin McCourty (2014), Matthew Slater (2013), Zoltan Mesko (2012), Jerod Mayo (2011), Vince Wilfork (2010), Kevin Faulk (2009), Larry Izzo (2008), Ty Warren (2007), Jarvis Green (2006), Matt Light (2005), Troy Brown (2004) and Joe Andruzzi (2003).
