During the AFC Championship Game, the NFL announced the three finalists for the Walter Payton Man of the Year Award. The Walter Payton Man of the Year Award is the most prestigious award an NFL player can earn. It is given to players who show leadership on and off the field, with emphasis on charity work. Among Watson are two other outstanding NFL personalities. Panthers tight end Greg Olsen and Texans defensive end J.J. Watt are the other two finalists for the award. The winner will be announced the night before the Super Bowl, on February 3, at the NFL’s annual award show.

Each NFL team nominates one of their own players for the Walter Payton Man of the Year Award. This is Watson’s second time being nominated for the award, as he was nominated by the Saints in 2015. Watson joined the Ravens in 2016 but missed the entire regular season with an Achilles injury. He rebounded in 2017 and led the Ravens in total receptions. Watson is the author of several books, The New Dad’s Playbook, and Under Our Skin: Getting Real about Race. Getting Free from the Fears and Frustrations that Divide Us. His foundation works to help the local Baltimore community, along with assisting needy communities around the world.

Watson being considered a finalist for the award is no surprise, as he also won two other awards this season. Watson received the Bart Starr Award and the Ed Block Courage award. Both awards are similar to the Walter Payton Man of the Year Award, as they are given to players who exemplify leadership on and off the field. Whether or not Watson wins the prestigious award, it is an honor for him to have been nominated and considered a finalist for it. Benjamin Watson extended his congratulations to the other two finalists, Watt and Olsen, via Twitter.

 

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