BURLINGTON, Mass. -- New England Patriots starting left tackle Nate Solder stood among 75 of his newest friends Wednesday morning as students at Francis Wyman Elementary School gave him a warm welcome. Solder's appearance was part of National Read Across America Day, in concert with the birthday of children's author Theodor Seuss Geisel -- a.k.a Dr. Seuss.
"This is neat," Solder said after reading two books (while wearing a red and white Dr. Seuss cap) and answering questions. "You get to encourage the kids to do more reading and have fun with it.
"I think that, as athletes, we have a responsibility to be role models, and to encourage them to read and to do things that will help them in their lifetime is huge. I hope they take that message. It's not just heard from their teachers, but other people in their community and role models, and that they'll actually follow through and be successful because of those things."
As part of National #ReadAcrossAmerica Day, @soldernate makes a difference at Francis Wyman School in Burlington. pic.twitter.com/no5Jn61TTH
— Mike Reiss (@MikeReiss) March 2, 2016
Solder enters his sixth season with the Patriots in 2016, and his importance to the team was highlighted last season when he tore his biceps Oct. 11 and missed the rest of the year. The Patriots' offensive line struggled at times in his absence, with pass protection a major issue in the AFC Championship Game loss to the Denver Broncos.
As for 2016, Solder reported progress in his recovery, as well as excitement with the return of offensive line coach Dante Scarnecchia after two years in retirement.
But mostly, this day wasn't as much about football as it was about using the sport as a platform to make a difference in the community. That's something Solder, 27, is passionate about.
"It really stems from my faith. So many things have been given to me, so to give back is a no-brainer," said Solder, the Patriots' 2015 Ron Burton Community Service Award winner. "I think the amount of joy they get out of it encourages me and gives me a lot of hope."
Solder relayed that his favorite Dr. Seuss book is "Oh the Places You'll Go!" and also how the birth of his son Hudson last July made the visit to Francis Wyman School feel different than those from the past.
"It changes it a lot; you kind of see your son in all these kids, which was really neat," he said.
In November, Solder and his wife Lexi announced that Hudson was diagnosed with kidney cancer. The couple has since started the Jimmy Fund Clinic Player of the Week award as part of its community efforts.
"There are so many other kids going through this and we don't want the emphasis to be on Hudson, but we want Hudson to be kind of a window in the world of what it is to go through these treatments, and what hundreds and thousands of these families are going through," Solder explained Wednesday.
As for Solder's own recovery from his torn biceps, he's been spending plenty of time at Gillette Stadium.
"It's been my first offseason where I actually haven't taken a break, because I already kind of had the offseason [during the year]," he said. "So now I'm just getting in shape as fast as I can and getting as strong and healthy as I can get."