Dallas Cowboys tight end Jason Witten was voted as the 2012 Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year award on Saturday night, beating out representatives from all 32 franchises.
The award is given to one player in the NFL from a pool of nominees from each team. The honor is meant to highlight and recognize work off-the-field, including actions in charity, philanthropy and community involvement.
Witten works with numerous non-profit organizations, including Jason Witten's SCORE Foundation, which helps people deal with domestic violence issues. According to ESPN.com, Witten also hosts a football camp at the University of Tennessee, where he played college football.
"I am extremely flattered to be chosen the 2012 Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year from such an esteemed group of nominees," Witten said in a statement. "I work hard every day not only to be a success on the football field and a credit to my team -- but to be a good husband, father, son, grandson, teammate -- to be the kind of man that is as respected as Walter Payton was. Like others before me, I have a great opportunity as an NFL player to make a difference in the lives of others. It is honestly humbling to be recognized in such a manner for simply doing what I feel is right and human. I am fortunate to have a great support system in my family, the Dallas Cowboys and the NFL which allows me to make an impact in the communities and with people who love our game."
Witten was one of the most impressive tight ends in the NFL, leading the Cowboys in receptions, making 110 for 1,039 yards and three touchdowns for an average of 9.4 yards per catch He helped the cowboys finish third in the league in average passing yards per game.
The fact that Witten won for his work in domestic violence is even more pronounced after a spate of issues relating to NFL players, including former Kansas City Chiefs player Jovan Belcher, who murdered his girlfriend before killing himself.
According to ESPN.com, Witten saw the effects of domestic violence first hand, which is one reason why he is involved in the cause. The tight end and his family also funded an emergency waiting room at The Children's Hospital at Johnson City Medical Center in Elizabethton, Tenn.
Some of the other team nominees included Josh Morgan of the Washington Redskins, Joe Thomas of the Cleveland Browns, Larry Fitzgerald of the Arizona Cardinals.
Fitzgerald helped to fund his own charity, named for his mother called the Carol Fitzgerald Memorial Fund, which helps educate inner-city youth on HIV/AIDS and breast cancer. Thomas made a large contribution to the "Kids in Need Resource Center" while wand worked with the Cleveland food bank.
According to DallasCowboys.com: "The selection panel for the award was comprised of NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell, former NFL Commissioner Paul Tagliabue, Connie Payton, Pro Football Hall of Fame members Frank Gifford and Anthony Munoz, 2011 winner Matt Birk and Sports Illustrated football writer Peter King."
Last year Jason Witten also won the award, following Baltimore Ravens center Matt Birk, who just won the Super Bowl over the San Francisco 49ers on Sunday night. Witten is the third Cowboys player to win the Man of the Year award, which was renamed Walter Payton Man of the Year award in 1999 after the late Chicago Bears running back. The other players to win were quarterback Troy Aikman in 1997 and Roger Staubach in 1978.
According to NFL.com: "The Man of the Year's designated charity receives a $25,000 donation in his name. Charities selected by the other 31 team finalists each receive a $1,000 donation. The three award finalists also receive an additional $5,000 for their respective charities."
