The Patriots are wrapping up their annual Kickoff Gala to benefit the organization's charitable foundation, and when emcee Rich Eisen introduced every member of the team, there was one noticeable omission: Tom Brady.

Eisen later told the crowd that Brady was tending to personal matters in California, which is where his son, who turned one earlier this week, as well as his parents live.

Brady did tape a message thanking fans for attending the Gala and encouraging them to bet generously for the live auction prize he offered -- passing lessons on the Gillette turf for the winner and nine friends.

Larry Izzo won the sixth annual Ron Burton Community Service Award for his charitable work, which often centers around military personnel and their families. His "Larryoke" karaoke event has raised over $600,000 in three years.

Izzo was kept in the dark about the honor, finding out only when the big screens began showing a montage of him with troops overseas, serving at a soup kitchen, and at Larryoke.

He said his heart began beating faster when he realized Robert Kraft, who presented the award, was talking about him. Izzo's fondness for the military and their families comes from both his childhood as an Army brat and his 2005 USO trip, which he called a life-changing experience.

Previous Burton award winners are Joe Andruzzi, Troy Brown, Matt Light, Jarvis Green and Ty Warren.