Larry Fitzgerald, Eli Manning and Greg Olsen have been named as the three finalists for the Walter Payton Man of the Year award.
It is not surprising the Arizona Cardinals wide receiver, New York Giants quarterback and the Carolina Panthers tight end have made it to the final three.
The award honours a player’s volunteer and charity work as well as his excellence on the field.
Each team nominated one person who represented these ideals and made a positive impact on the community.
A strong contender to take home the gong would be Olsen, as he has already won the Charity Challenge that encouraged fans to retweet his personal hashtag.
This led to a $25,000 donation to a charity of his choice with the hashtag being used 1.2 million times.
And if he were to win, which there is a strong chance he will, he will be the second Panthers star to win the award in three years with Thomas Davis gaining the title in 2014.
However, you cannot write off the other two who are also strong contenders. This is not the first time Fitzgerald has been nominated, as he was also a finalist in 2012.
And for the second year in a row, Manning has been named as one of the three finalists coming second last year ahead of New Orleans Saints tight end Benjamin Watson.
If the quarterback wins he will be first Giants player to be selected the NFL Man of the Year in the award’s 47-year history – quite incredible.
The 36-year-old has also been named Giant’s Man of the Year six times and championing causes that involve children has always been a priority for him.
He has served as the Chair of New York March for Babies for the past seven years joining thousands of New Yorkers in the walk.
Manning and his wife also founded the Eli and Abby Manning Children’s Clinic in Mississippi in 2007.
San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Anquan Boldin won the title for 2015.
NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell said: “Larry, Eli and Greg are not only top-tier athletes, but also men of great character, integrity and generosity of spirit.
“Their passion for community and helping others is having a positive impact on countless individuals and communities, and it’s something we should all celebrate.
“We commend these impressive men for setting the standard for NFL players and athletes worldwide.”
If I had to put money on it and say whom I think would win I’d say Olsen but can they all? Each deserves it for how much they are doing for the sport on and off that field – huge kudos to the trio.
A total of $1 million will be donated in the name of Man of the Year with it being spilt between the charity of his choice and supporting the expansion of Character Playbook across all NFL Markets.
The two runners-up will receive a $125,000 donation to their charity of choice and a $125,000 donation in their names to expand the digital learning initiative.
It will be announced on Sunday, February 4 on the eve of the super bowl as New England Patriots take on the Atlanta Falcons.
Pic: NYTimes.com