Seahawks DE Michael Bennett Nominated For NFL Man Of The Year Award

Michael Bennett has long done several charitable deeds of the field, and now he’s being recognized for it in a big way.

Michael Bennett NFL Man of the Year Award News

The 32-year-old Seattle Seahawks defensive end was announced Thursday as a nominee for the Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year Award. The annual prize — established in 1970 and renamed in 1999 to honor a Chicago Bears legend — is given to the player who both performs well on the field and contributes the most community service. Arizona receiver Larry Fitzgerald and New York Giants quarterback Eli Manning shared the award last year,

“You want to be able to transcend sports,” Bennett said. “Not just be relevant in your sport, but be relevant in things that matter outside of sports. To be able to talk to kids about life, school, community, health. I want to empower young athletes to use their platform.”

Throughout the years, Bennett’s foundation has worked to fight obesity through OCEAN Programing (fighting Obesity through Community, Education, Activity and Nutrition). He has also worked with the iamtheCODE movement to provide underprivileged African girls entrance into science, technology, engineering, arts, mathematics, entrepreneurship, and design programs.

To top it all off, Bennett has pledged his endorsement money for the 2017 season to helping rebuild minority communities through programs that directly concern women of color. The defensive end also worked with Safeway to provide Hurricane Harvey relief.

In August, Bennett made headlines after he was detained outside a nightclub in Las Vegas following the highly-anticipated boxing match between Floyd Mayweather and Conor McGregor. Police were allegedly looking for an active shooter and mistook Bennett for the culprit. Las Vegas Metro police reportedly pointed a gun at him and used excessive force, although authorities later denied this after Bennett released a statement about the incident. The defensive end, who also claims police racially profiled him, was called a liar by many people.

Bennett’s brother, New England Patriots tight end Martellus Bennett, came out to support him following the incident. Martellus has also performed several charitable deeds.

“I think it’s one of those things you never want to give up on people,” Bennett said of his work at the Youth Detention Facility. “You always want to give people opportunities. I think whether it’s the juvenile detention center or working in shelters or creating after school programs or doing football stuff or just working with women, I think it’s that ability to be able to listen and find out what people are feeling. That is the best part of leadership is that ability to listen; not just come out and think something is important, but to come out and listen to what they see as important. I think that’s the thing for me I’ve learned over these last couple of years.”

Bennett has protested the national anthem several times, and has been one of several NFL stars to call for the reintroduction of Colin Kaepernick into the league. He also recently made an appearance on the new TBS show Drop the Mic, which features celebrities facing off in rap battles. The two-time Pro Bowler — who helped lead the Seahawks to a Super Bowl victory after the 2013 season — faced off against High School Musical alum Vanessa Hudgens. 

SEATTLE, WA – DECEMBER 02: Defensive end Michael Bennett #72 of the Seattle Seahawks runs for a touchdown after recovering a fumble against the New Orleans Saints in the first quarter during a game at CenturyLink Field on December 2, 2013 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Otto Greule Jr/Getty Images)