Patriots Captain Receives Media 'Good Guy' Award

New England Patriots team captain David Andrews has been honored by the Patriots press corps for his class and candor in the face of the team’s disappointing season.

FOXBORO — New England Patriots center David Andrews continues to exemplify consistency, efficiency and class each time he dons his uniform.

With the Pats sitting at 3-11 — eliminated from playoff contention, and occupying the cellar of both the division and conference — maintaining poise and professionalism is no easy task. However, Andrews has never once wavered in his commitment to be the team’s first line of postgame communication — even when most of those long walks to the podium included explaining a tough loss. 

In short, David Andrews is a “good guy.”

On Wednesday he was deservingly honored as such while receiving the eighth annual Ron Hobson Good Guy Media Award for 2023. 

Each season, the Patriots press corps presents the award as an expression of their appreciation for a player who has respectfully fulfilled his media obligations with class and professionalism. Andrews’ courteous nature and honest insight in his dealing with the media makes him the perfect choice for the honor. 

New England Patriots team captain David Andrews  / Credit: USA Today Sports Images

As Andrews accepted the award, he expressed his gratitude, as well as being a bit humbled by the company with which he will now keep as Hobson award-winners — while adding that he gets the occasional constructive criticism from his spouse for his dealings with the Pats’ press. 

“I really appreciate it,” Andrews said humbly. “Though, my wife thinks I could be better with the media.”

The 31-year-old has won two Super Bowls with the franchise and is a seven-time team captain. Whether it be on the field, or in the locker room, Andrews leads by example and plays his role as assigned to the best of his ability. He is also one of the Pats’ most durable players. Save for missing the entirety of 2019 due to the discovery of blood clots in his lungs, Andrews has missed just 11 games in seven years.

However, Andrews’ most indelible mark on the only franchise for which he has played is made by the leadership and perseverance he embodies each and every day. He has been a valued teammate, a positive presence in the locker room, and a pleasure with which to work by those who cover the team. 

The award is named in honor of former Patriot Ledger sports writer Ron Hobson, who covered the Patriots from 1961 until his retirement in January 2010. Hobson (a.k.a. ‘The Humble One’) played an instrumental role in the team’s relocation from Boston to Foxboro in 1971. He quickly became a reader favorite, picking NFL winners in his weekly column for more than three decades, while challenging Ledger readers to try to outdo him.

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Previous winners of the Hobson award:

Matthew Slater — 2016

Devin McCourty — 2017

James White — 2018

Stephon Gilmore — 2019

Cam Newton — 2020

Matthew Judon — 2021

Jakobi Meyers — 2002

Andrews and the Patriots will return to the practice field on Wednesday afternoon, as they continue to prepare for their Christmas Eve matchup with the Denver Broncos on Sunday night at 8:15 p.m. ET from Empower Field at Mile High. 

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