GREEN BAY – Packers linebacker Blake Martinez was presented with the 2019 community service award at the annual Green Bay Area Chamber of Commerce "Welcome Back Luncheon" on Wednesday in the Lambeau Field Atrium.
The yearly event is traditionally held on the last day of training camp, the day before the team's preseason finale, which is slated for Thursday night against the Kansas City Chiefs.
As has become custom, Aaron Rodgers led a quarterback group sporting special outfits for the occasion. Rodgers, Tim Boyle, DeShone Kizer and Manny Wilkins all dressed up as characters from the Adam Sandler movie "Happy Gilmore."
Martinez received the community service award for the first time. The presentation noted his extensive involvement with Big Brothers Big Sisters, Make-A-Wish Foundation, The Salvation Army, the Packers' annual Tailgate Tour and the team's annual Give Back Celebrity Bowling Event, which raises money for the Northeast Wisconsin Technical College (NWTC) Promise Scholarship and for the Wisconsin Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) Association.
Martinez also has been involved in multiple childhood cancer initiatives, including donating his own off-the-field proceeds for St. Jude's Children's Research Hospital, serving as the spokesperson for the Packers vs. Cancer initiative, and offering to visit the local school that raises the most money in the Gold in September/Penny Wars collection drive.
The Green Bay Packers' quarterbacks dressed as characters from 'Happy Gilmore' for the 2019 Welcome Back Packers Luncheon.
Humbly accepting the award in front of a large and appreciative Chamber crowd, Martinez thanked the Packers organization for "putting all these opportunities in front of me," and he also gave a shout-out to his teammates involved in many of the same efforts.
"I'm not the only one who did all these things," he said. "Congratulations to all the guys at these tables who have done amazing community outreach things."
