Defensive end Dalvin Tomlinson has played a big role for the New York Giants this year both on and off the field.
Not only is Tomlinson having one of the greatest seasons of his professional football career, leading a dominant defensive line alongside Leonard Williams and Dexter Lawrence, he was also voted a team captain and took over as the Giants’ NFLPA representative.
Despite all of that responsibility, Tomlinson hasn’t stopped connecting with fans or working with various charities away from the field.
Accordingly, Tomlinson has been named the Giants’ nominee for the 2020 NFL Walter Payton Man of the Year award — the most significant annual award in the NFL.
A leader on and off the field. We're proud to have Dalvin Tomlinson as the team's Walter Payton Man of the Year nominee. Learn more about the incredible work Dalvin does in the community and why giving back is such an important part of his life. pic.twitter.com/CY5PFPwCwD
— New York Giants (@Giants) December 10, 2020
“It’s an honor,” Tomlinson said, via Giants.com. “When Eli [Manning] won it, I was still in college. Knowing the players that are nominated for it, it doesn’t feel real. I still feel like I’m one of the young guys. I still have to earn that. I guess I’ve been doing enough to get the nomination. It’s a blessing.
“Being from the south, being from Georgia, you always want to give back and help as many people as possible. My mom raised me to help out as much as you can, when you can.”
First-year head coach Joe Judge is not at all surprised by Tomlinson’s nomination, praising him as a team-first guy who plays a vital role in his community.
“Dalvin’s a guy who he really puts the team first and he puts his priorities outside of this building in the right order,” said Judge. “Again, he’s another guy who comes from a very strong background in terms of making the right decisions, doing the right things and who he surrounds himself with. He really rubs the right way on the guys in the locker room. He’s a leader, he knows how to put his arm around a guy and pull him aside and talk to him. He’s also not afraid to tell a guy directly in front of someone when they have to go ahead and pick it up. He’s able to do that because of the way he works on a day in and day out basis, and because of the kind of strong character he possesses, guys trust him.”
Thomlinson has long been a member of the American Diabetes Association’s “Team Tackle Initiative,” supports the American Cancer Society as a “Crucial Catch Ambassador,” serves as a Fuel Up to Play 60 ambassador and works with both Kate’s Club in Atlanta and Good Grief in New Jersey.
In 2019, Tomlinson also worked with the Wounded Warrior Project and has publicly supported the Muscular Dystrophy Association of New York City.
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