Thomas Davis named Walter Payton Man of the Year

By Phil Watson | Jan 31, 2015

Jan 3, 2015; Charlotte, NC, USA; Carolina Panthers outside linebacker Thomas Davis (58) reacts after a play during the third quarter against the Arizona Cardinals in the 2014 NFC Wild Card playoff football game at Bank of America Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports /

Carolina Panthers linebacker Thomas Davis joined an illustrious list of NFL players honored for their off-the-field contributions as the Walter Payton Man of the Year.

Thomas Davis of the Carolina Panthers is the 2014 winner of the Walter Payton Man of the Year Award, presented each year to the player who best shows leadership in the community.

The award has been presented since 1970 and was renamed in honor of Payton, the Chicago Bears’ Hall of Fame running back who was the NFL’s leading rusher from 1984, when he passed Cleveland Browns great Jim Brown on the all-time list, until his mark was surpassed by Emmett Smith of the Dallas Cowboys in 2001.

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Payton was himself a recipient of the honor in 1977.

Davis, according to NFL.com, was nominated for his work with the Thomas Davis Defending Dreams Foundation, founded by Davis and his wife Kelly in 2007. The non-profit organization provides and promotes free programs to enhance the quality of life for more than 2,000 underprivileged children and their families each year.

Davis annually provides two college scholarships for graduating high school seniors who have completed the Youth Leadership Academy, a 14-week afterschool mentoring program for low-income middle school students.

Through his foundation, Davis also hosts annual programs including a back-to-school supply giveaway, a Thanksgiving meal for members of a local women’s shelter and a Christmas gift giveaway for underprivileged children both in Charlotte and the surrounding area and in his hometown of Shellman, Ga.

In June 2013, Davis led the construction of the first—and only—playground in Shellman and his annual free football camp provides more than 350 kids with football and life skills instruction.

For the win, Davis receives a $50,000 donation from the NFL Foundation in his name to a charity of his choice.

One player from each team was nominated. The other finalists were Anquan Boldin of the San Francisco 49ers and Aaron Rodgers of the Green Bay Packers.

On the field, Davis is no slouch, either—a four-year captain of the Panthers defense who had 117 tackles, 2½ sacks, three passes defensed and two forced fumbles while helping Carolina to the NFC South title.

Originally drafted as a safety out of Georgia with the 14th overall pick in 2005, he was moved to linebacker in 2006 and has been a full-time starter ever since.

Davis twice recorded 12 tackles in a game this season, turning the trick against the Detroit Lions in Week 2 and against the Atlanta Falcons in Week 11.

"Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year presented by Nationwide: Thomas Davis,…: http://t.co/ry8NWjujzs — FanSided GIF (@FanSidedGIF) February 1, 2015"

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