Tag: Walter Payton Man of the Year

Bradley Bozeman Ravens’ nominee for Walter Payton Man of the Year award

With all the good guard Bradley Bozeman has done for the city of Baltimore and for children across the country, he’s the Ravens’ nominee

Every year, all 32 teams pick one of their own players to represent them for the Walter Payton Man of the Year award. This year, the Baltimore Ravens have designated offensive lineman Bradley Bozeman as the team’s nominee.

On the field, Bozeman has been a consistent starter for Baltimore at left guard. While the entire offensive line has been ravaged with injuries and an outbreak of COVID-19, seeing six different starting combinations, Bozeman has been an anchor at left guard. With the Ravens’ playoff hopes likely resting on the team’s rushing attack, Bozeman and the rest of the offensive line are truly the driving force as Baltimore pushes for a postseason berth.

But the Walter Payton Man of the Year award isn’t just about how a player performs on Sundays. Instead, the focus is on the good a player does within their own community and few can rival Bozeman’s efforts there.

Bradley and his wife Nikki Bozeman created their foundation in 2018 to work to educate at-risk children and their families about the dangers of childhood bullying. Their foundation reinforces some of the same principles found in football — having respect for others and standing up for the more vulnerable among us. This offseason, the couple traveled around the country to take the message directly to kids in schools, though the trip was ultimately cut short due to the coronavirus pandemic.

But it doesn’t stop there. The Bradley and Nikki Bozeman Foundation has also worked to combat food insecurity within Baltimore. The Bozemans started a meal distribution at Mount Pleasant Ministries in Baltimore, helping deliver 21,000 meals to over 300 families since September. They also hosted a drive-thru Thanksgiving dinner pickup event that fed over 500 families. The couple also created a special Halloween event that allowed children to dress up in their costumes and safety trick-or-treat.

The Bozeman family has been nothing short of amazing for Baltimore and children around the country. As the Ravens’ nominee, Bozeman will receive a minimum of up to $50,000 donated to his charity of choice while the eventual 2020 Walter Payton Man of the Year award winner will receiver a $250,000 donation to the charity of their choice.

Makes sure to go on Twitter and vote for Bozeman with: “#WPMOYChallenge Bradley Bozeman.” The player with the most votes will receive $25,000 to the charity of their choice.

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Safety Michael Thomas named Houston Texans’ nominee for Walter Payton Man of the Year

The Houston Texans announced safety Michael Thomas as its nominee for the Walter Payton Man of the Year Award, which recognizes an NFL player for outstanding community service activities off the field as well as excellence on the gridiron. The …

The Houston Texans announced safety Michael Thomas as its nominee for the Walter Payton Man of the Year Award, which recognizes an NFL player for outstanding community service activities off the field as well as excellence on the gridiron.

The Houston native has been active since he got to the Texans fighting for social justice. After George Floyd’s shooting death at the hands of Minneapolis police in May, Thomas organized Texans players to making a video calling for social justice reform. Thomas was also featured in the NFL’s “Say Their Stories” video to highlight the death of Philando Castile.

Thomas also created the design for the NFLPA’s “End Racism” pre-game warmups that have been worn by 1,696 players across the league.

The Nimitz High School product created the “Victory Mondays” fundraiser that has collected over $17,000 in 2020 by auctioning off special memorabilia from the games along with experiences. The proceeds have gone to fund HBCU scholarships and the Dreambuilders Foundation.

Thomas participated in the Boys & Girls Club of America Youth for Change Town Hall in October and has been the spokesperson for the Houston Texans Stats Challenge program, which uses football to encourage kids to get enthused about math while underscoring the importance of being great in school.

The safety also participated in the Texans’ Breast Cancer Awareness Month efforts when he joined a Zoom with women who were battling breast cancer.

“I’ve always been passionate about community service, because as a kid I promised myself if I made it to the NFL I’d always give back,” said Michael Thomas. “I understand the impact that we as NFL players can have on our youth, underserved communities and more. It means the world to me that I may uplift someone with my time, resources, or just my encouragement. I am blessed to give back.”

Thomas was a nominee in 2018 for the New York Giants.  Should the former 20212 undrafted free agent from Stanford win the award, he will have a decal in recognition of his accomplishments both on and off the gridiron. From being a nominee, Thomas will receive a $40,000 donation in his name to the charity of his choice.

The winner will be announced during the NFL Honors during Super Bowl weekend on CBS. The winner will receive a $250,000 donation to the charity of his choice.

All donations are courtesy of the NFL Foundation and Nationwide.

Rodney McLeod named Philadelphia Eagles nominee for Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year Award

Rodney McLeod is the Eagles nominee for Walter Payton Man of the Year

The Philadelphia Eagles have announced team captain Rodney McLeod as its nominee for the Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year Award presented by Nationwide.

Considered the league’s most prestigious honor, the award recognizes an NFL player for outstanding community service activities off the field, as well as excellence on the field.

With the COVID-19 pandemic having a deadly impact on the Philadelphia region and across the nation, Rodney and his wife, Erika, founded the Change Our Future Foundation.

The Foundation was designed to empower people through education, advocacy, and awareness in the areas of youth development, healthy lifestyles, and community enrichment.

McLeod had already established various signature campaigns and programs through his foundation and during Week 2, Rodney was named the NFL Players Associations’ Community MVP after distributing 40,000 pounds of fresh food to families through Philadelphia’s Share Food Program.

McLeod released this statement on the nomination.

“I’m incredibly honored to be named the Eagles’ Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year,” said McLeod. “Growing up, I had a lot of people sacrifice to help me get to where I am today. The fact that I have this platform to give back, alongside my family, teammates and the City of Philadelphia, is truly humbling. Impacting the lives of others is one of the highest honors we can all strive to achieve, and I’m blessed to be recognized next to an inspiring group of peers who are making a difference in their communities.”

Since the establishment of the award in 1970, the Philadelphia Eagles have had three players earn the prestigious Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year Award (2018 – Chris Long; 2002 – Troy Vincent; 1980 – Harold Carmichael).

The Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year will be announced during NFL Honors, a primetime awards special to air the week of Super Bowl LV on CBS.

Jimmy Graham named Bears’ 2020 Walter Payton Man of the Year nominee

Jimmy Graham has been named the Bears’ Walter Payton Man of the Year nominee for his commitment to philanthropy and community impact.

It didn’t take Jimmy Graham long to make an impact in the Chicago community.

One of the first things Graham did when he arrived was take a look at some local charities that needed his help. He found that in Ignite, an organization that works with at-risk youth in Chicago, which had immediately a six-figure donation amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

“I signed with the Bears right when the pandemic hit,” said Graham. “I just wanted to make sure the first thing I did here was to help the community.”

So it’s no surprise that Graham was named the Chicago Bears nominee for the 2020 Walter Payton Man of the Year Award, which recognizes the best of the NFL’s commitment to philanthropy and community impact.

Graham is being honored for his work with the Jimmy Graham Foundation with at-risk youth and military veterans.

“It’s a true honor to be nominated,” said Graham, via ChicagoBears.com. , “especially for the Chicago Bears because of Walter Payton, what he did for this community, what he did for this organization and all he did for the NFL.”

The NFL Man of the Year Award was renamed after Payton as a tribute to his greatness both on and off the field. He passed away on Nov. 1, 1999 at the age of 45 due to bile duct cancer.

The Bears’ most recent Walter Payton Man of the Year winner was cornerback Charles Tillman back in 2013. Other winners included Payton, Dave Duerson, Mike Singletary and Jim Flanigan.

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Myles Garrett is the Browns nominee for the Walter Payton Man of the Year Award

Fans can vote for Garrett to win the prestigious honor

Myles Garrett will represent the Cleveland Browns as the team’s nominee for the Walter Payton Man of the Year Award in 2020. The defensive end was chosen by his teammates as the player who does the most to exemplify character and philanthropic impact on the world outside of football.

The Walter Payton Man of the Year Award is a very big deal for the players, honoring the off-field work players do in the community to make America a better place. The winner receives a $250,000 donation to the charity of his choice, while all nominees are granted a $40,000 donation to their respective charities of choice.

From the NFL’s press release,

Representing the best of the NFL’s commitment to philanthropy and community impact, each player was selected as his team’s Man of the Year and is now eligible to win the national award. Considered the league’s most prestigious honor, the Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year Award presented by Nationwide recognizes an NFL player for outstanding community service activities off the field, as well as excellence on the field. First established in 1970, the national award was renamed in 1999 after the late Hall of Fame Chicago Bears running back WALTER PAYTON.

Fans can vote for Garrett to win on Twitter by using a special hashtag. It’s  #WPMOYChallenge followed by their favorite nominee’s last name, Garrett.

Christian Kirksey was the team’s nominee in 2019.

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Falcons select Steven Means as Walter Payton Man of the Year nominee

The Atlanta Falcons selected defensive end Steven Means to be the team’s 2020 Walter Payton Man of the Year nominee.

The Atlanta Falcons selected defensive end Steven Means to be the team’s 2020 Walter Payton Man of the Year nominee. The award recognizes players for their performance on the field and their contributions off of it. Means has been a pleasant surprise on the field this season, with 33 tackles, three sacks and two forced fumbles.

He’s better known for his impact on the city of Atlanta. This year, Means used his platform to help get young people out to vote in the 2020 election.

“Voting is the number one thing we believe in and that we are driving hard on because we can get the right people in the right place to make a change,” said Means.

The winner of the Walter Payton Man of the Year award gets $250,000 donated to the United Way, and up to another $250,000 donated to a charity of their choice.

Check out this video of Means finding out he’s the team’s 2020 nominee below, as shared by the Falcons’ Twitter account.

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Trey Flowers is the Lions nominee for the Walter Payton Man Of the Year Award

Fans can vote for Flowers with a special hashtag

Detroit Lions defensive end Trey Flowers is the team’s nominee for the Walter Payton Man of the Year Award. Flowers will represent the Lions at the NFL’s awards along with the nominees from the other 31 teams.

The Walter Payton Man of the Year Award is a very big deal for the players, honoring the off-field work players do in the community to make America a better place. The winner receives a $250,000 donation to the charity of his choice, while all nominees are granted a $40,000 donation to their respective charities of choice.

Flowers has been incredibly generous with his time and money since joining the Lions in 2019. He’s been a leading advocate on the social justice front, an issue that has galvanized the Lions players. Now on injured reserve, Flowers offered a statement via the Lions,

“Walter Payton was a great person, what he stood for. A legacy lives on forever. It’s about the things that you do with the time that you have on this Earth. I just hope that a long time from now, people can remember the impact that I had on their lives and the impact that I had on the community. I hope that my foundation can continue to do great things in the community. I just want to inspire, I want to encourage because I know how important it is. This world, in order to get better we have to inculcate the things that we’ve experienced and the knowledge that we have on to the youth, which leads them to be even better.”

From the NFL’s press release,

Representing the best of the NFL’s commitment to philanthropy and community impact, each player was selected as his team’s Man of the Year and is now eligible to win the national award. Considered the league’s most prestigious honor, the Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year Award presented by Nationwide recognizes an NFL player for outstanding community service activities off the field, as well as excellence on the field. First established in 1970, the national award was renamed in 1999 after the late Hall of Fame Chicago Bears running back WALTER PAYTON.

Fans can vote for Flowers to win on Twitter by using #WPMOYChallenge hashtag followed by their favorite nominee’s last name, Flowers.

Allen Robinson leading hunger relief campaign amid coronavirus pandemic

Bears WR Allen Robinson is providing meals to students in Chicago Public Schools through a hunger relief campaign amid coronavirus pandemic.

Chicago Bears receiver Allen Robinson embodies everything a football player should be. While he’s one of the best players on the Bears’ roster, he’s an even better person off the field.

The Bears’ Walter Payton Man of the Year nominee has stepped up following the coronavirus pandemic, where so many people have been affected, including students around the country. Robinson is helping those kids in Chicago that are missing out on meals they would receive during the school day.

Robinson is providing meals to students in Chicago Public Schools through a hunger relief campaign. Robinson said he would match $12,000 in donations to his Within Reach Foundation for this effort. For every $12 donation, a local family will receive a 20-pound box of food.

“I was trying to seek out a way that I could help,” Robinson told ChicagoBears.com. “Seeing how many kids are reliant on the food that is provided from the school system—whether it’s breakfast, lunch and sometimes after-school stuff—with them being out of school it’s tough for those kids to be able to get meals and it’s tough for some families to afford to feed a kid who’s at home all day.”

Robinson’s teammate Charles Leno Jr. has already pledged $7,200 towards the cause.

While Robinson initially pledged to match up to $12,000 in donations, that total was surpassed within the first 24 hours of the campaign. As a result, Robinson plans to increase his contribution.

“For me trying to be able to help the kids in the inner city of Chicago and seeing everybody step up to the plate alongside of me, it’s definitely bigtime and it’s definitely much appreciated,” Robinson said. “I get so much support from the city of Chicago, and it’s definitely awesome to see.”

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Pete Carroll: Bobby Wagner is on his way to the Hall of Fame

Seattle Seahawks coach Pete Carroll believes Bobby Wagner is on his way to the Pro Football Hall of Fame after his fifth All-Pro nomination.

Seattle Seahawks linebacker Bobby Wagner was recognized as an All-Pro first teamer for the fifth time in his illustrious career – the most in franchise history, passing left tackle Walter Jones.

Wagner’s only NFL coach, Pete Carroll, recognizes the greatness he has seen out of his star linebacker, and believes his career will end with him alongside Jones, Steve Largent and other Seahawks greats with a bust in Canton, Ohio at the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

“That’s an amazing stat,” Carroll said on Monday. “That’s recognition in a really broad sense that you’re the best of the best. What a great recognition for him. He’s been such a fantastic player for us. So consistent and so rock solid at everything. Every aspect. I mean, he’s just everything. He’s on his way. He’s on his way to going to the Hall of Fame someday and this is the stuff that you do that puts you in line for that stuff. It’s a joy to coach a guy like that.”

Wagner is Seattle’s all-time leader in tackles, having broke the record back in Week 8 against the Falcons.

Wagner’s contributions on the field for the last eight years have been immense, but Carroll recognizes the person he is beyond that as well.

“All I can tell you is he does everything,” Carroll continued. “He does it by living a great example. Living great. Family guy. Takes care of his daughter in a great fashion. Just exemplifies what you want. In the community, he’s extraordinary. Everybody loves him. He’s true blue and straight forward. You know what you’re getting, and you know who you’re dealing with. He’s an extraordinary man and that carries over to all his football as well. He does everything in exemplary fashion. We’re just lucky we got him.”

Wagner is Seattle’s Walter Payton Man of the Year nominee for his numerous charitable endeavors, which include paying for groceries at a local Safeway and starting a charity for stroke victims called Walk for Wagner.

Whether Wagner’s career finishes with him elected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame, which it should, he will no doubt be a Ring of Honor member and one of the most well-remembered Seahawks in franchise history when all is said and done.

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Notre Dame Football: Tight End U Product Up for Man of the Year Award

But it’s something much bigger than football that has Kyle Rudolph in the headlines this week.

Kyle Rudolph was one of many Notre Dame tight ends in recent memory to go from playing under the golden dome to playing on Sunday.

Since his NFL career began in 2011 he’s caught more than 420 balls for over 4000 yards and 47 touchdowns. He’s been a mainstay with the Minnesota Vikings for almost a decade now and will be headed to the playoffs this January for the fourth time in his career.

But it’s something much bigger than football that has Kyle Rudolph in the headlines this week.

As successful of career as he’s had, snagging first down and touchdown receptions like they’re going out of style, Rudolph may very-well go down being remembered more for his contributions off the field, which is saying something because he’s one helluva football player, too.

Rudolph was nominated for the Walter Payton Man of the Year Award for the third time in his career this past Thursday.

I have no doubt if we were to examine the nominees from all 32 teams we would find 32 inspiring stories worthy of praise.

But since this websites name is Fighting Irish Wire, why don’t we take a look at exactly what Rudolph has done to again earn a nominee.

Here is the video the Vikings came up with last season. Honestly if he didn’t win it after this I don’t know how he ever will but it’s that good so take the seven or so minutes and watch this:

Then here is the video they used this year – clearly an incredible job using his platform to better the cause for the less fortunate.

Every nominee will receive up to $50,000 for a charity of their choice will the eventual winner will receive $250,000 to go to their desired charity.

For information on all 32 nominees you can check out the NFL website who has compiled all of the information.

The winner will be announced at the NFL Awards Show on the eve of Super Bowl LIV.