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Larry Izzo honored at Gala; Tom Brady tends to personal business

Email|Link|Comments (4) Posted by Mike Reiss, Globe Staff August 27, 2008 04:43 AM

Larry Izzo sings "Born in the USA" during "Larryoke" in June. (David Kamerman / Globe Staff)

The Patriots held their annual Kickoff Gala on Tuesday night at Gillette Stadium and special teams captain Larry Izzo was recognized as the Ron Burton Community Service Award winner.

Izzo, 33, has focused much of his charitable outreach on supporting the United States military. He has held three karaoke events, called "Larryoke", to raise money for military charities such as Massachusetts Soldiers Legacy Fund, Home for Our Troops, the Fallen Patriot Fund, Fisher House Boston, Operation Ensuring Christmas and the Pat Tillman Foundation. His three Larryoke events, featuring Larry and his teammates belting out karaoke tunes, have raised a total of $600,000.

Izzo is the sixth Patriots player to be selected as the Ron Burton Award winner, joining past honorees Joe Andruzzi (2003), Troy Brown (2004), Matt Light (2005), Jarvis Green (2006) and Ty Warren (2007).

Patriots quarterback Tom Brady was not present at the Gala because he was on the West Coast. Brady taped a message that was played to the crowd, and said that he had to tend to a personal matter.

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4 comments so far...

Probably becoz of his son's 1-year-old birthday.

Posted by supreme12 August 27, 08 11:05 AM

Born in the USA is not a patriotic song. Nonetheless Larry does some great things with his free time.

Posted by Kevin August 27, 08 03:36 PM

It may be heresy, but am I alone in thinking that Tom Brady's off-field activities may be starting to get in the way of his play on the field. I have no problem with him having a life (What a life!!) and I am sure that his injury is real (although in BB land you never know). BUT it is my impression down here in Philadelphia Eagle land that Brady is spending more an more time away from the team. For example--he did not accompany them to Tampa, now less than two weeks from the first game he is on the West Coast on "personal business." Time was when he was more of an everyday guy spending all of his time working out in the off season, always at practice, at every event, etc. This year he is the "invisible man!"
Do you think that this is, or is going to become a problem? I sure hope not!!

Posted by Tom August 27, 08 08:19 PM

Tom has a son now that just turned 1 over the weekend. Considering the situation with him not being able to be around his child much during the season, who can really begrudge him wanting to spend some time with him before all the craziness starts?

I think Tom has proven himself over and over again and people should lay off.

Posted by Minnie August 28, 08 09:22 AM

DO NOT HIT THE SUBMIT BUTTON MORE THAN ONCE!

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Mike Reiss, Christopher L. Gasper and the rest of the Globe team provide regular updates –and a behind-the-scenes look– on the daily happenings of the Patriots.

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