| Advertisement |
Arizona Cardinals receiver Larry Fitzgerald, New York Giants quarterback Eli Manning and Carolina Panthers tight end Greg Olsen were selected as the finalists for the Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year award, the league announced Sunday. The Man of the Year award recognizes a player's contributions to football and society. The winner will be announced on Feb. 4 in Houston, one night before the Super Bowl.
Advertisement
"Larry, Eli and Greg are not only top-tier athletes, but also men of great character, integrity and generosity of spirit," NFL commissioner Roger Goodell said in a statement. "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."
A total of $1 million will be donated in the name of the winner -- $500,000 to a charity of the player's choice and $500,000 to expand Character Playbook, a digital learning initiative.
Manning is a key figure in the Eli and Abby Manning Children's Clinics at the Blair E. Batson Hospital for Children in Jackson, Miss. Fitzgerald heads a foundation that focuses on literacy and breast cancer causes. Olsen is involved with donations that deal with health research.
San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Anquan Boldin was the recipient last year.
