FOXBOROUGH -- Earlier in the week Pete Frates, the founder of the "Ice Bucket Challenge," passed away and his funeral was held Friday.
The Patriots were well aware of Frates as they participated in the challenge a few years back, and a few of them remembered him on the day he was laid to rest.
"He just had a great impact and I think took a really tough situation and turned it into a great positive for people and brought great awareness to a tremendous cause," Tom Brady said. "He’s resting peacefully now and we wish his family the best."
Special teams captain Matthew Slater said he helped him learn more about ALS and what a terrible disease it is.
“I think he’s a hero, honestly," he said. "The awareness that he brought to such a terrible disease and courage which he faced that disease all the way up until his passing I think is so heroic. It’s so brave and really is a terrible disease. I know it brought awareness to me personally, as I read about the Ice Bucket Challenge and then I read into the disease. It’s a very, very terrible disease and I hope and pray we can find a cure in my lifetime.
"I think everyone should take a minute and really appreciate what he was able to do with his life. The courage with what he fought and the awareness he brought and how he always tried to help others until his final day.”
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