FOXBORO -- When the New England Patriots drafted 6-foot-3, 272-pound defensive end Jarvis Green in the fourth round (126th overall) of the 2002 NFL Draft, the scouts said that Green was an "intense tackler who is very quick off the snap and possesses a wide array of rush moves."

They said that he was a "two-gap run-stuffer with the change of direction ability to string plays wide and make tackles on the outside."

Well, Green has proven the scouts right.

He is coming of his best season, having recorded a a career-high total of 53 tackles (30 solo) in 2005. He also recorded 2 1/2 sacks and three forced fumbles last year.

What the scouts didn't know, though, was how big Green's heart was.

They soon found out.

With the nation remembering the devastation of Hurricane Katrina on its one-year anniversary, the 27-year-old Green, a Donaldsonville, La., native, was awarded the 2006 New England Patriots Ron Burton Community Service Award last night at the team's annual Kickoff Gala held in the Fidelity Investments Clubhouse at Gillette Stadium.

Green was honored for his efforts in helping the victims of Hurricane Katrina as well as his charitable contributions in the Boston area.

"The award is something very special," Green said. "I was very surprised when they first told me about the award for all of the stuff that I've been doing for the community and just being there for the fans and for the kids also."

The award is named in honor of Ron Burton, the first player drafted by the team and known for his widespread charitable work throughout Eastern and Central Massachusetts.

"I am very proud to have an award that recognizes and rewards community service," New England chairman and CEO Robert Kraft said in a Patriots press release. "Philanthropy is very important to my family, and we are proud of all the charitable contributions made by our players.

"Ron Burton was a Patriots pioneer who committed his life to giving back to his community. He set a great example for all others to follow, and I am glad that so many of our players continue that tradition today."

Green has consistently ranked among the Patriots players who attend the most team-sponsored charitable events. He committed his time to several Hurricane Katrina relief efforts both in Massachusetts and New Orleans.

Last season Green was part of a group of Patriots players who made a trip to Otis Air National Guard Base on Cape Cod to assist Hurricane Katrina evacuees who had been displaced to Massachusetts.

He and his Louisiana-based family members started a fund that recognizes Louisiana natives who assisted Katrina victims in unheralded ways, such as taking in other families or children in the wake of the storm. This fund also helped to host free breakfasts at local churches.

"In my hometown we still have about four or five thousand people from New Orleans that are still living there now," said Green, who spent about three weeks in New Orleans and Donaldsonville in July helping the relief efforts there.

Green said that Katrina put a lot of things into prospective in his life.

"As far as football, what we do is a great job, but people in need that don't have the resources to get through the next day come first," Green said. "As far as football, you have to put it to the side after you see what happened with the hurricane."

Also last season, Green attended "Celebrate Chelsea Day," a fundraiser held to raise money for the Boys & Girls Club of Chelsea, Mass. He also took part in the Patriots' annual "Shop with a Jock" event in Walpole, Mass., in which Wal-Mart provides local youths with the opportunity to go shopping with Patriots players for holiday gifts each December.

Green is the fourth Patriot to be selected as the Ron Burton Award winner, joining past honorees Joe Andruzzi (2003), Troy Brown (2004), and Matt Light (2005).

As hard as he works for various charities, Green works even harder on the field. He has gotten better in each of his first four seasons, earning more playing time each year. He has started 17 of 62 games while recording 122 tackles (76 solo), with 11 sacks, three forced fumbles, and three fumble recoveries.

Green already has plans for life after football. He participated in an internship at the Rolls Royce Naval Marine Plant in Walpole in the program's management department, and he hopes to develop that career after his playing days are over.

roblee@projo.com / (401) 277-7340