Eli Manning named finalist for Walter Payton Man of the Year

New York Giants quarterback Eli Manning is one of three finalists for the Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year Award.

The award recognizes an NFL player for his excellence on and off the field. The award was established in 1970. It was renamed in 1999 after the late Hall of Fame Chicago Bears running back, Walter Payton. Every team nominates one player who has had a significant positive impact on his community.

Each of the 32 team nominees receives a $5,000 donation to a charity of their choice. The two runner-ups for the award will receive a $6,000 donation to their charity of choice. The winner of the award will receive a $50,000 donation to his charity of choice.

Manning has been the Giants’ Man of the Year every season from 2007-13. This year, he’s a finalist along with San Francisco wide receiver Anquan Boldin and New Orleans tight end Benjamin Watson. The winner of the award will be announced during the NFL Honors awards show, on Feb. 6 at 9pm, the night before Super Bowl 50.

“From everything wonderful I’ve heard about him (Walter Peyton), it’s an honor to receive this award for the Giants team. I’m proud of the work I do, on and off the field.”-Eli Manning

Manning has served as the Chairman of the New York March for Babies for seven years, joining thousands of New Yorkers in the walk in support of March of Dimes. While providing additional access for top sponsors, engaging donors and raising awareness of the organization’s platform, Manning’s efforts with March for Babies helped raise more than $25 million.

He also participates in “Tackle Kids’ Cancer”, an initiative with Hackensack University Medical Center. Manning spent time with patients and doctors at the hospital’s pediatric cancer center, learning more about the greatest needs in cancer research.

Manning and his wife also founded the Eli and Abby Manning Children’s Clinics in 2007. This was a five-year fundraising campaign that raised almost $3 million. Building on that accomplishment and model, they also created the University of Mississippi Medical Center Manning Family Fund, which received close to $1.5 million in its first year in 2015.

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In addition to his work with kids, Manning dedicates his time and resources to numerous other organizations, both in the New York/New Jersey metropolitan area and Nationwide.

These efforts include working with the American Red Cross. He collected and filled an airplane with supplies to fly down to New Orleans after Hurricane Katrina and worked on an emergency response vehicle in the days after superstorm Sandy.

He has also worked with organizations like Guiding Eyes for the Blind, the No More campaign, Operation Smile’s NYC gala, his scholarship endowment at the University of Mississippi, and his fulfillment of numerous Make-A-Wish and Wounded Warrior experiences.

On the field, Manning set franchise records with 387 completions while throwing for 4,432 yards and 35 touchdown passes and just 14 interceptions.

For years it has blown my mind how Manning has never been recognized as the Walter Payton Man of the Year. This year, however, he has his chance to be honored for all he does for the community.

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