FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Benjamin Watson to receive Bart Starr Award at the 31st Annual NFL-Sanctioned Super Bowl Breakfast – Saturday, February 3, 2018 | 8:00am | Minneapolis Hilton
Minneapolis – (Jan. 4, 2018) – Baltimore Ravens tight end, Benjamin Watson has been chosen by his National Football League (NFL) peers to receive one of the sport’s most prestigious honors, The Athletes in Action Bart Starr Award, given annually to a player who exemplifies character and leadership on and off the field.
The Bart Starr Award will be given to Benjamin Watson in person at what is widely considered one of Super Bowl weekend’s premier events, the Athletes in Action Super Bowl Breakfast. The Breakfast will be held on Saturday, February 3rd at the Minneapolis Hilton.
“As Bart Starr has exemplified, there is nothing more important and lasting than a man’s character”, Watson said. “I am incredibly humbled and honored to receive this award in his name. Through football, family and faith my desire is to leave a legacy that lasts beyond the game. To this end, I am incredibly grateful for the Starr family and the enduring example they continue to set.”
Watson was drafted by the New England Patriots 32nd overall in the 2004 NFL draft. He played college football at the University of Georgia. He also played for the Cleveland Browns and New Orleans Saints. In his 12th year in the NFL, Watson had a career season where he had career bests in receptions (74) and yards (825), and tied his career high in touchdowns (six). On March 9, 2016, Benjamin Watson signed a two-year deal with the Baltimore Ravens. As a Patriot, Benjamin received a Super Bowl ring in his rookie season as well as appearing in Super Bowl XXXIX in 2007 with the New Orleans Saints.
Off the field, Benjamin stays busy with his foundation One More. Since its inception his desire has been for One More to be a vehicle to carry the hope and love of Christ to those in our community who need it most, while understanding that the best and most efficient way to reach people’s hearts is by first meeting their physical needs. “Our mission is to simply be a blessing to those around us wherever we are, whether that’s supporting existing charities or initiating programs of our own. Hello Beautiful was created to give girls a safe space to discuss the real issues they face, while giving them a Godly perspective and truth on those issues”. Topics such as self-esteem, body image, the dangers of technology, relationships with boys and girls, and sex are openly discussed and no questions or discussion are “off limits”.
Watson also serves on the Executive Committee of the NFL Players Association and is an NFL Spokesman for the All Pro Dad Campaign. In 2015, Watson published his first book, “Under Our Skin: Getting Real About Race- And Getting Free from The Fears and Frustrations That Divide Us”. In October of 2016, he authored a “Group Conversation Guide” to aid readers’ journey to honest conversation about race, bias, and justice in America. On May 2nd, 2017 Watson will release his next literary work, “The New Dad’s Playbook: Gearing Up for the Biggest Game of Your Life.”
An anticipated 1,650 business executives will attend this year’s breakfast, presented by Athletes in Action and the Super Service Challenge, to watch Benjamin Watson receive the Bart Starr Award and hear stories of faith and football from NFL players past and present. Program guests will include Tony Dungy (Super Bowl Champion Coach), Bart Starr Jr., former Vikings Jeff Siemon, Alan Page, Greg Coleman, Chuck Foreman, Doug Sutherland and others to be announced. Akbar Gbajabiamila (American Ninja Warrior and NFL Network) will emcee.
For more information on the 2018 Super Bowl Breakfast, or to purchase tickets, visit www.SuperBowlBreakfast.com or call 800-416-9472.
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The NFL-sanctioned Athletes in Action Super Bowl Breakfast has taken place in the Super Bowl host city every year since 1988, drawing sellout crowds to hear from some of sport’s biggest names. The Bart Starr Award, presented at the breakfast, honors Starr’s lifelong commitment to serving as a positive role model to his family, teammates and community. The winner of the Bart Starr Award is determined by NFL-player balloting at the end of the regular season, making it one of only two individual honors selected by the players themselves.