Watt, Watson, Olsen named finalists for Walter Payton Man of the Year
The NFL announced the finalists for the 2018 Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year Award at half-time of the AFC Championship Game on Sunday - Houston Texans defensive end J.J. Watt, Baltimore Ravens tight end Benjamin Watson, and Carolina Panthers tight end Greg Olsen.
The winner of the award, which recognizes a player for excellence on and off the field, will be announced at NFL Honors on Saturday, Feb. 3.
The three were chosen from a pool of 32 players, one nominated by each NFL team. The winner will receive $250,000 to be donated to the charity of their choice, while the runners-up will be granted $100,000 for their respective charities.
Watt already took home Sports Illustrated's Sportsperson of the Year for his humanitarian efforts after helping to raise over $37 million for Hurricane Harvey relief efforts in the Houston area.
Humbled & honored to even be mentioned in the same breath as Walter Payton. Also happy to share the nomination with @BenjaminSWatson and @gregolsen88 who are both extremely deserving. This is so much bigger than just one man. It's about the good in all of humanity.
- JJ Watt (@JJWatt) January 21, 2018
Olsen, a runner-up last year, has had his own charity - Reception for Research: The Greg Olsen Foundation - since 2009, which focuses on cancer research. He and his wife established a second foundation in 2013 - the HEARTest Yard Fund - to help families of babies affected by congenital heart disease after their son T.J. was born with a rare heart condition, and expanded the organization in 2017.
In honor of being 1 of 3 finalists for Man of the Year, we are launching the "Man of the Year Match". Today thrU Feb 4th, my wife and I will MATCH the first $100,000 raised to support the families @LevineChildrens thru our HEARTest Yard program! Visit https://t.co/ZzrtugHHyi now pic.twitter.com/9073QeD325
- Greg Olsen (@gregolsen88) January 21, 2018
Watson's charity - One More Foundation - works to fight human trafficking, modern slavery, and other violence against the poor. Watson and his wife regularly travel to the countries affected during the offseason.
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