Anquan Boldin, Eli Manning, Benjamin Watson Named Walter Payton Man Of The Year Finalists

Yesterday, during halftime of the AFC Championship between the New England Patriots and Denver Broncos, the three finalists for the Walter Payton Man Of The Year award were announced. They are San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Anquan Boldin, New York Giants quarterback Eli Manning, and New Orleans Saints tight end Benjamin Watson.

The winner of the award will be announced on Feb. 6 at the NFL Honors show at 9 p.m., the night before the Super Bowl. The award honors a player’s volunteer and charity work, as well as his excellence on the field. The winner will receive a $55,000 donation to give to the charity of his choice while the two runner-ups will receive $11,000. The other 29 finalists all received $5,000 to give to their respective charities as well. The panel that chose the finalists included Commissioner Roger Goodell, former Commissioner Paul Tagliable, Sports Illustrated writer Peter King, Connie Payton, football greats Anthony Munoz and LaDainian Tomlinson and the 2014 award recipient, Panthers linebacker Thomas Davis.

Boldin’s charity is the Anquan Boldin Foundation, which intends to expand the educational and life opportunities of underprivileged children. Manning is the chairman of the New York March for Babies and also heads the “Tackle Kids’ Cancer,” an initiative to raise money for children. Watson founded the Watson One More Foundation which supports existing charities and also is an advocate of combatting against domestic violence.