Patriots Slater Named Bart Starr Award Recipient

New England Patriots special teams captain Matthew Slater is following in his father's footsteps. 

Two decades after his father, Hall-of-Famer Jackie Slater, was honored with The Athletes in Action Bart Starr Award, Matthew has been selected by his peers in the league as the 2017 award recipient.

The award, which is given each year, aims to recognize the player in the league that best exemplifies both leadership and character on and off the field.

Slater, who has led New England's special teams units as a captain for the past six seasons and has been one of the top special teams performers in the league over that same span of time, not only excels on the field but also off of it.

The ninth year pro was awarded the team's 2013 Ron Burton Community Service Award and has spent many hours throughout his career working with multiple community service groups and children's ministries.

The honor not only recognizes Slater's tremendous efforts both on and off the field, but it also has made him and his father the only father-son duo to ever win the award.

Watch Slater's reaction to being named the award recipient here.