The NFL announced the 32 players who have been named their team's "Man of the Year," the list includes San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Anquan Boldin.
Boldin was selected for his continued work with his own charity, the "Q81 Foundation."
He's also helped the 49ers Foundation and other charitable organizations, providing tremendous support for those in need.
In addition, Bodin has testified before Congress about access to clean water in Africa on behalf of Oxfam. He has also provided college scholarships to underresourced youth, plus orchestrated toy drives and shopping sprees for low income kids. He participates in "49ers Community Monday" events, along with his family, too.
From granting scholarships to forming foundations promoting literacy, to getting kids active, these 32 players represent the best of the NFL's commitment to philanthropy and community impact and are now eligible to win the "Walter Payton Man of the Year" award, presented by Nationwide.
Three of these nominees will be selected as finalists for the award, named for the legendary Bears running back who died in 1999. Finalists will be announced in January 2015.
The winner will be announced in Arizona, the site of Super Bowl XLIX, during the fourth annual "NFL Honors" awards show, a two-hour primetime special to air nationally on Saturday, January 31, from 9-11 p.m. ET on NBC.
Each of the 32 team nominees receive a $1,000 donation from the NFL Foundation to the charity of their choice. The three finalists will receive an additional $5,000 donation, and the winner will receive an additional $20,000 donation in his name.
"We admire and support the important work that these players and so many other NFL players are doing to serve their communities," said NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell. "The NFL is filled with outstanding young men who help schools, shelters, and countless other organizations and good causes. We thank our players for recognizing the positive impact they can have in the lives of their fellow citizens and seizing that opportunity to make difference."
Boldin posted his initial reaction to the news on social media:
As announced in July, Nationwide is the presenting sponsor of the award for the first time this year. The "Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year" award is the only league award that recognizes a player's off-the-field community service as well as his playing excellence.
For more information on the team nominees and the award, visit www.NFL.com/manoftheyear.
A list of team nominees is below:
TEAM
WINNER
Arizona Cardinals
Calais Campbell
Atlanta Falcons
Matt Bryant
Baltimore Ravens
Torrey Smith
Buffalo Bills
Fred Jackson
Carolina Panthers
Thomas Davis
Chicago Bears
Jay Cutler
Cincinnati Bengals
Vincent Rey
Cleveland Browns
Craig Robertson
Dallas Cowboys
DeMarco Murray
Denver Broncos
Ben Garland
Detroit Lions
Stephen Tulloch
Green Bay Packers
Aaron Rodgers
Houston Texans
Andre Johnson
Indianapolis Colts
Pat McAfee
Jacksonville Jaguars
Josh Scobee
Kansas City Chiefs
Tamba Hali
Miami Dolphins
Olivier Vernon
Minnesota Vikings
Chad Greenway
New England Patriots
Devin McCourty
New Orleans Saints
Thomas Morstead
New York Giants
Steve Weatherford
New York Jets
Muhammad Wilkerson
Oakland Raiders
Marcel Reece
Philadelphia Eagles
Connor Barwin
Pittsburgh Steelers
William Gay
San Diego Chargers
Philip Rivers
San Francisco 49ers
Anquan Boldin
Seattle Seahawks
Russell Wilson
St. Louis Rams
Johnny Hekker
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Vincent Jackson
Tennessee Titans
Jason McCourty
Washington Redskins
Darrel Young
