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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 1/9/18

FORMER NFL MAN OF THE YEAR WINNERS TO UNITE AT LII IN

Former Winners and Families to Come Together for Super Bowl Weekend Culminating in Special On-Field Pregame Recognition

The legacy of former NFL Man of the Year winners will be recognized at Super Bowl LII in Minnesota, the NFL announced today. In honor of their excellence on and off the field, former Man of the Year winners – and family representatives of those who are no longer with us – will come together during Super Bowl weekend for a series of special events and programs. Prior to kickoff of Super Bowl LII, former winners will be recognized on-field, as a testament to their contributions to the game and to their communities. The Man of the Year legacy pregame moment will culminate with the introduction of the 2017 recipient.

Players spanning generations who belong to the exceptional Man of the Year fraternity will be honored in Minnesota, including the family of the late Hall of Fame Bears WALTER PAYTON, Pro Football Hall of Famer and Steelers Legend , Super Bowl Champions ELI and , Pro Football Hall of Famer and Cowboys Legend and Pro Football Hall of Famer and Chargers Legend LADAINIAN TOMLINSON. A full list of past winners, which includes 28 members of the Pro Football Hall of Fame, can be found below.

“For the first time in NFL history, Man of the Year winners will come together on the NFL’s biggest stage,” said NFL Commissioner . “The NFL is proud to host these remarkable leaders and recognize their impact on the community. From the family of the late to 2016 co-winners and , the most distinguished players on and off the field will share a platform in honor of their accomplishments.”

An exclusive event for past winners and their families will kick off the weekend on Thursday, Feb. 1 and celebrate the legacy that Man of the Year winners have left on the game and in their communities. To further advance the legacy of Man of the Year winners and create impact in their communities, the event will also serve as a fundraiser for the NFL Foundation. Funds raised will be distributed among both the NFL Foundation and the nonprofit organizations supported by the Men of the Year.

Considered ’s most prestigious honor, the Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year Award presented by Nationwide recognizes an NFL player for outstanding community service activities off the field as well as excellence on the field. The 32 nominees for the 2017 award were announced last month. Three of the nominees will be selected as finalists for the national award, renamed in 1999 after Walter Payton. Finalists will be announced later this month.

The winner will be announced during NFL Honors, a two-hour primetime awards special to air nationally on Feb. 3, the eve of Super Bowl LII, at 9 PM (ET and PT) on NBC. NFL Honors will be taped earlier that evening at the Cyrus Northrop Memorial Auditorium at the University of Minnesota in .

$500,000 dollars will be donated in the name of the 2017 winner. $250,000 will be donated to the winner’s charity of choice and $250,000 will be donated in his name to expand Character Playbook across the country. The two other finalists will each receive a $100,000 donation to their charity of choice and a $100,000 donation in their names to expand Character Playbook. All other 29 nominees will receive a $50,000 donation to their charity of choice and an additional $50,000 donation in their names to expand Character Playbook. All donations are courtesy of the NFL Foundation, Nationwide and United Way Worldwide.

The Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year trophy silhouette began appearing in uniform elements this season to further recognize past award winners and current nominees. The five current players who have won the award - , DAVIS, LARRY FITZGERALD, ELI MANNING and - will wear a Man of the Year patch on their jerseys in perpetuity to recognize their outstanding contributions to the game and to their communities. 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. Earlier this season, the NFL announced the Super Bowl Ticket Giveaway, a new initiative to surprise fans across the country with an invitation to attend Super Bowl LII in Minnesota. A total of 500 free tickets will be distributed under the program as a way to give back to dedicated NFL fans and provide them with a once-in-a- lifetime experience. Each of the 2017 Man of the Year nominees received two Super Bowl LII tickets to give away to fans and community heroes.

For more information on the nominees and the award, visit NFL.com/manoftheyear.

PAST WALTER PAYTON NFL MAN OF THE YEAR WINNERS

YEAR WINNER TEAM 2016 Larry Fitzgerald Cardinals Eli Manning 2015 49ers 2014 Thomas Davis 2013 2012 Jason Witten 2011 Ravens 2010 2009 2008 2007 Jason Taylor Dolphins 2006 LaDainian Tomlinson San Diego Chargers Drew Brees Saints 2005 Peyton Manning Colts 2004 Falcons 2003 Kansas City Chiefs 2002 2001 2000 1999 Minnesota Vikings 1998 1997 Dallas Cowboys 1996 Washington Redskins 1995 1994 San Diego Chargers 1993 Kansas City Chiefs 1992 Broncos 1991 Anthony Munoz Bengals 1990 Chicago Bears 1989 Oilers 1988 1987 Chicago Bears 1986 Reggie Williams 1985 Miami Dolphins 1984 New York Jets 1983 San Diego Chargers 1982 Washington Redskins 1981 Pittsburgh Steelers 1980 Philadelphia Eagles 1979 Pittsburgh Steelers 1978 Roger Staubach Dallas Cowboys 1977 Walter Payton Chicago Bears 1976 Franco Harris Pittsburgh Steelers 1975 Ken Anderson Cincinnati Bengals 1974 Oakland Raiders 1973 Kansas City Chiefs 1972 Kansas City Chiefs 1971 San Diego Chargers 1970 Johnny Unitas Baltimore Colts 1969 – Gladiator Award Green Bay Packers

*The Gladiator Award was the precursor to the Man of the Year Award, which was established in 1970.

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Media Contacts:

Ana Blinder, NFL [email protected]