Before Ron Burton became the first player drafted by the New England Patriots franchise, he shared his dream with his college sweetheart JoAnn.
One day, the Northwestern running back would play in the NFL, and with that platform, he'd buy a bunch of land and open a camp where kids would learn the value of faith, hard work, patience, love, and humility. That plan came full circle in the 1980s with the Rob Burton Training Village, and his legacy lives on in those 305 acres in Hubbarston, Mass. as well as at Gillette Stadium, where the Patriots hand out its only individual award in his honor to recognize a player who goes above and beyond for the community.
When Robert Kraft bought the Patriots in 1994, he became a champion for the Ron Burton Training Village. Like Burton, he also had a vision for how football could help him give back.
"He had the vision to establish this place and buy the acreage and develop a staff," Kraft said of Burton on Monday, standing on the steps of the newly renovated Robert K. Kraft Parthenon at RBTV.
"I promised my late wife, when we paid the highest team ever paid for any franchise, that if we did a good job running this team, we would make a big impact on the community – bigger than if we gave a million dollars a week to charity. I think this partnership with the Ron Burton Training Village is helping America in so many ways."
Cornerback Jonathan Jones, who was honored with the Ron Burton Community Service Award last season, was in attendance with his family for the special ribbon-cutting ceremony.
"These are two organizations that are leading the way in helping kids and it's just great to be part of it," Jones said after getting a tour of the grounds and speaking with some of the boys in the program.
"The Kraft family, they do such a great job in the community, and the Ron Burton Training Villiage here, what they do for these kids is just tremendous."
The mission of RBTV aligns well with that of Jones' foundation, The Next Step Foundation, dedicated to youth mentorship in the realms of sports and education.
As one of the team's most active philanthropists, Jones has followed Kraft's example since he first stepped foot in the Patriots locker room as an undrafted free agent.
"RKK is the standard -- just the standard of humility and success – not only success with the team, but the success that we do in the community to come out here and impact the community," Jones said. "When the guy at the top is out here leading like that, everyone follows suit because he does such a great job of setting the example of what we should be doing."
Though a different player wins the Ron Burton Award every year, the designation sticks with them for life, and anyone who has visited RBTV knows how special it is.
Patriots legend Matthew Slater retired after last season but returns year after year since winning the award in 2013. Nate Solder, who won the award in 2015, went on to play for the New York Giants after his Patriots tenure. Both made it out to Hubbarston on Monday for the special occasion.
"We're celebrating the contributions of a few big donors, including the Kraft family, who have given so much to this vision for what Ron Burton established 40 years ago, which is to develop young people and give them opportunities to be successful and have a heart for God, which is a beautiful thing," Solder said.
"It's a great insight into how being part of sports and an organization like the Ron Burton Training Village pay dividends a long way down the road in ways you don't even expect. I think about my own story and I've always had a heart for philanthropy and helping others, but my opportunity to play for the Patriots and to be in major games contributed to how effective I can be in the community. It's all been for a bigger purpose."
Earlier into his retirement than Solder, Slater shared a similar sentiment.
"Today is a special day to come out here to the Ron Burton Training Village and be with these children and really celebrate the mission and vision of this place, which is pouring into the next generation, instilling in them the right values to become people who are intentional about giving back, who love their neighbor well, and to also celebrate two great families who have done so much to support not only this place, but the community," Slater said.
"It's a great example of people who use their platforms well to give back, so celebrating that has been a blessing and being here with these kids has been a true gift."
The Ron Burton Training Village in Hubbardston, Mass. dedicated a new building to Patriots owner Robert Kraft on Monday, July 15, 2024. The Robert K. Kraft Parthenon will now serve as the main meeting point for young and aspiring leaders and athletes at the camp for underserved youth. Patriots cornerback Jonathan Jones and former Patriots players Nate Solder and Matthew Slater attended the event, during which a dedication was also made for longtime RBTV supporters Bob and Laura Reynolds.
