NFL Man of Year winners to gather at Super Bowl

By AP
Published

NEW YORK (AP) How about getting this group together: Hall of Famers Franco Harris, Roger Staubach and LaDainian Tomlinson, plus Peyton Manning and Eli Manning and Larry Fitzgerald?

Players spanning generations who belong to the NFL's Man of the Year fraternity will be honored during Super Bowl weekend in Minneapolis. Also on hand will be the family of Walter Payton, for whom the NFL's award is named.

They will take part in special events and programs and, before Super Bowl 52, former winners will be recognized on the field - including the introduction of the 2017 recipient. That winner will receive a $250,000 donation to a charity of his choice, and $250,000 will be donated in his name to expand Character Playbook across the country.

''The NFL is proud to host these remarkable leaders and recognize their impact on the community,'' Commissioner Roger Goodell said.

''From the family of the late Johnny Unitas to 2016 co-winners Larry Fitzgerald and Eli Manning, the most distinguished players on and off the field will share a platform in honor of their accomplishments.''

The Man of the Year winners will take part in a fundraiser for the NFL Foundation and several nonprofit organizations.

A Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year trophy silhouette began appearing on uniforms this season to further recognize past award winners and current nominees. The five current players who have won the award - Drew Brees, Thomas Davis, Jason Witten, Fitzgerald and Eli Manning - will wear a Man of the Year patch on their jerseys for the rest of their careers.

All 2017 nominees wore a Man of the Year helmet decal through the end of the season, in recognition of their accomplishments on and off the field. This tradition will continue for future nominees and winners of the award.

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