Not every NFL player can make a huge impact on the field, but anyone can make the lives of others better off the field.
The NFL’s annual Walter Payton Man of the Year Award is the league’s representation of this sentiment. It recognizes a player for excellence on and off the football field. On Thursday, the league announced the list of 32 nominees – one from each team – for this year’s award.
“The Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year Award celebrates Walter’s enduring legacy of on-field excellence and closes it with condolences,” NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell said in a statement. “This award is the league’s most prestigious honor, and we are proud to recognize these 32 outstanding individuals for the positive impact they make in their communities every day.”
in The nominee is Arizona Cardinals tight end Trey McBride, who has played a large role in helping to develop the sport of girls flag football in the Phoenix area. According to her nomination page, she has also helped improve her community with her dedication to promoting literacy and STEM efforts in local schools..
“Many of our players go above and beyond in giving back and making a positive impact on our community,” Cardinals owner Michael Bidwill said. “It’s always challenging to single out one person, but what Trey has done in his three years as a Cardinal is exceptional.”
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Here is the full list of nominees for this year’s Walter Payton Man of the Year Award:
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What is the Walter Payton Man of the Year Award?
According to the NFL’s website, “The Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year Award recognizes an NFL player for his excellence on and off the field…Each team nominates a player who has made a significant positive impact on his community.”
The award is named after former Chicago Bears Hall of Famer Walter Payton since 1999, the year he died.
Each year, 32 nominees receive a $55,000 grant to the charity of their choice, while the award winner receives a $255,000 grant to any charity of his or her choice.
The Walter Payton Man of the Year award will be presented during the annual NFL honors show on February 8 at 9 pm ET on CBS.
This article originally appeared in USA Today: Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year Award nominees from every team
