Super Bowl Breakfast 2018

The 2018 Super Bowl Breakfast was held on Saturday, Feb. 3 2018 at the Hilton Minneapolis from 8am to about 10 a.m. The breakfast featured a presentation of the 2018 Bart Starr Award to an NFL player for outstanding character, integrity and leadership on and off the field.

In addition, the program featured Super Bowl Champion Coach TONY DUNGY, Minnesota Vikings greats JEFF SIEMON, ALAN PAGE, GREG COLEMAN, CHUCK FOREMAN and DOUG SUTHERLAND and emcee AKBAR GBAJABIAMILA, co-host of American Ninja Warrior.

The Baltimore Ravens tight end, Benjamin Watson was voted by his National Football League (NFL) peers to receive one of the sport’s most prestigious honors, The Athletes in Action Bart Starr Award, which is given annually to a player who exemplifies character and leadership on and off the field.

The Bart Starr Award was 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 during Super Bowl LII Week.

 

“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 32^nd 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.