CHARLOTE, N.C. — Carolina Panthers tight end Greg Olsen has been named a 2016 Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year nominee, the team announced Wednesday in a news release.
Each of the NFL’s 32 teams nominates a player for the award, which recognizes service to the community as well as performance on the field.
Olsen was also nominated for the award in 2015.
A four-time team captain and two-time Pro Bowler, Olsen is just the seventh tight end in NFL history with consecutive 1,000-yard seasons in 2014 and 2015, according to the release.
Olsen, who has played in 154 consecutive regular-season games, ranks in the all-time top 10 among NFL tight ends in receptions (603) and receiving yards (7,112) and is approaching the top 10 in receiving touchdowns (52). This season, Olsen leads all NFL tight ends with 820 receiving yards, the release said.
Off the field, Olsen works to make sure that everyone has a “second chance at life” through his foundation, Receptions for Research: The Greg Olsen Foundation.
The foundation’s Receiving Hope program focuses on cancer research, support and education programming. The program has distributed over $520,000 to six hospitals and foundations since 2009, according to the Panthers.
The foundation’s HEARTest Yard Fund helps families of babies affected by congenital heart disease in coordination with Levine Children’s Hospital.
The fund was created in honor of Olsen’s son, T.J., who battled a rare heart condition called hypoplastic left heart syndrome (HLHS), a congenital defect marked by an underdeveloped left ventricle and aorta.
Olsen is also a spokesman for the NFL’s A Crucial Catch program, is an active participant in the team’s Make-A-Wish program, and has helped with Beds for Kids, a nonprofit organization that provides beds and other basic furniture to families in the Charlotte community, according to the release.
“Greg’s service is completely driven by love. Love for his family, for his community, and all those around him. He is fully committed to all that he does – both on and off the field. He is a leader in the locker room, devoted husband and father, and selfless servant to the community,” said Panthers Head coach Ron Rivera, a former teammate of Payton.
The Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year Award was established in 1970 and renamed in 1999 after Payton, the late Hall of Fame Chicago Bears running back..
Each team nominates one player who has had a significant positive impact on his community to be considered for the national award.
Three of the 32 nominees will be selected as finalists. The winner will be announced at the NFL Honors event on the night before Super Bowl LI in Houston.
A total of $1 million will be donated in the name of the 2016 Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year, $500,000 to a charity of his choice and $500,000 to support the expansion of Character Playbook across all NFL markets, according to the release.
The two finalists will each receive a $125,000 donation to the charity of his choice and a $125,000 donation in their names to expand Character Playbook. The additional 29 team winners will receive $50,000 donations to their charity of choice and additional $50,000 donations in their names to implement Character Playbook in their club market. Donations will be courtesy of the NFL Foundation, Nationwide and United Way Worldwide.
Nationwide, the presenting sponsor of the award, will also host the second annual Charity Challenge to garner excitement and support for the nominees. As part of the social media challenge, fans are encouraged to tweet using the players' hashtags. The player hashtag that generates the most mentions will win an additional $25,000 donation to his charity of choice, courtesy of Nationwide.
To support Olsen in the Charity Challenge, use #OlsenWPMOYChallenge.
The team-by-team list of 2016 Walter Payton Man of the year award nominees:
Arizona Cardinals – Larry Fitzgerald
Atlanta Falcons – Matt Ryan
Baltimore Ravens – Steve Smith Sr.
Buffalo Bills – Eric Wood
Carolina Panthers – Greg Olsen
Chicago Bears – Sam Acho
Cincinnati Bengals – Andy Dalton
Cleveland Browns – Joe Thomas
Dallas Cowboys – Sean Lee
Denver Broncos – Virgil Green
Detroit Lions – Don Carey
Green Bay Packers – Jayrone Elliott
Houston Texans – Brian Cushing
Indianapolis Colts – Joe Reitz
Jacksonville Jaguars – Julius Thomas
Kansas City Chiefs – Alex Smith
Los Angeles Rams – Johnny Hekker
Miami Dolphins – Mike Pouncey
Minnesota Vikings – Chad Greenway
New England Patriots – Rob Gronkowski
New Orleans Saints – Roman Harper
New York Giants – Eli Manning
New York Jets – Brandon Marshall
Oakland Raiders – Dan Williams
Philadelphia Eagles – Jon Dorenbos
Pittsburgh Steelers – Arthur Moats
San Diego Chargers – Jeremiah Attaochu
San Francisco 49ers – Torrey Smith
Seattle Seahawks – Cliff Avril
Tampa Bay Buccaneers – Vincent Jackson
Tennessee Titans – Jurrell Casey
Washington Redskins – Pierre Garcon
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