Tampa WR’s Work With Domestic Violence Survivors Earns Nomination for This Award
By Movieguide® Contributor
Tampa Bay wide receiver Mike Evans didn’t realize he was getting nominated for the Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year Award when he arrived at Raymond James Stadium the other day.
The athlete thought he was just creating some video content for his team. So Evans walked into the stadium, sat down in a chair in the middle of the field and began reacting to a video of what he thought were his best plays.
But soon, fellow teammate Chris Godwin appeared on the screen and said, “Mike, what’s going on bro? I just want to say congratulations man, on being the Bucs’ nominees for Walter Payton Man of the Year. You are obviously a pillar in this community, a pillar in this organization. Your impact on the community goes unmatched. You’ve impacted so many lives, so many children, so many people that have been impacted by domestic violence.”
“Just truly, truly a man of the people. I can’t thank you enough for all that you’ve done for me. I thank you for being a great model for me of what a pro is. We’re one of the greatest duos of all time and that’s nothing to be slept on,” Godwin added. “We’re etched in history and it’s been an honor of mine to be your running mate, to get to see this up close and personal at what’s been a hall-of-fame career. So, once again congratulations my brother. I have much love.”
“The Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year Award presented by Nationwide recognizes an NFL player for his excellence on and off the field,” the NFL stated. “The award was established in 1970 and was renamed in 1999 after the late Hall of Fame running back, Walter Payton. Each team nominates one player who has had a significant positive impact on his community, with one winner selected from the 32 nominees.”
READ MORE: TAMPA BAY WR ENCOURAGED BY ‘PRAYERS’ AFTER SEASON-ENDING INJURY
Evans heads up the Mike Evans Family Foundation, an organization that provides “scholarships and opportunities for kids in need and to help families impacted by domestic violence.”
“He knows that, you know, the fans come to games every week, he wants to be able to, you know, give back to them as much as they support him and have supported him this entire time,” Courtney Foss, the executive director of the Mike Evans Family Foundation, said of Evans previously. “And he usually wants to make a difference and be able to help the people that need it,”
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