The New England Patriots' first-round pick in the 2013 NFL Draft will be announced by former Pats guard and Boston Marathon hero Joe Andruzzi, according to Karen Guregian.

Patriot for Life Although retired, Joe Andruzzi remains a true patriot off the field. -- Pats Pulpit

Andruzzi played nine NFL seasons, five of them with the Patriots. He was a part of all three New England Super Bowl champion teams, and retired from the NFL in 2006. In 2007, Andruzzi was diagnosed with non-Hodgkin's Burkitt's lymphoma, which he fought and beat. The following year he founded the Joe Andruzzi Foundation, which provides financial assistance to cancer patients and their families as well as funding for research.

As part of his foundation's fundraising, Andruzzi organizes runners in the Boston Marathon every year. After the attack at the marathon, Andruzzi was seen carrying an injured female runner to safety. Andruzzi has a family history of heroism as his three brothers are all New York firefighters and were among the first on the scene at the Twin Towers attacks.

The Patriots hold the No. 29 pick in the first round of the 2013 NFL Draft on Thursday, April 25.

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