Wednesday the NFL announced the 32 finalists (one for each team) for the 2016 Walter Payton Man of the Year award, presented by Nationwide.
According to the NFL, the recipients represented the “best of the NFL’s commitment to philanthropy and community impact”, and are now eligible to win the national award. The award recognizes a player for his excellence on and off the field, particularly in their respective community.
The Oakland Raiders representative for the award is defensive tackle Dan Williams, who joins other notable names lime Larry Fitzgerald, Rob Gronkowski and Matt Ryan, who are among the nominees.
Three of the nominees will be selected in Jan. 2017 as finalists for the award, named for Hall of Fame Chicago Bears running back, Walter Payton.
The winner will be announced in Houston at NFL Honors, a two-hour primetime awards special to air nationally on Feb. 4, the night before Super Bowl LI.
Williams is in his seventh NFL season and second with the Raiders. He was drafted in the first round by the Arizona Cardinals in 2010.
Williams is involved with a variety of causes, including diabetes as his late father suffered from Type 2 Diabetes. Williams joined the American Diabetes Association Team Tackle at the White House to campaign for more funding at the offices of two California politicians, United States Senators Barbara Boxer and Diane Feinstein.
He has also campaigned with the American Diabetes Association to raise awareness and funds for summer camps for kids suffering from diabetes.
Along with the ADA, he has also been involved with the Boys and Girls Club of Oakland, the “Super Kids Super Sharing” event and is working with the “Filling the Gap Foundation”.
