Sir Purr
Well-known member
- Mar 16, 2019
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Carolina’s Men of the Year
In January of 2015, Thomas Davis was awarded the NFL’s Walter Payton Man of the Year award, the league’s most prestigious award. It was a fitting tribute to a man who contributed so much to Charlotte and his hometown of Shellman, Georgia through his Defending Dreams Foundation, a non-profit dedicated to enhance the quality of life for underprivileged children and their families. Davis was hardly the only Panther player to go above and beyond in his platform and reach to help others.
Greg Olsen was a two-time Man of the Year finalist due to his work with Receptions for Research and the HEARTest Yard, which have changed the outlook of countless families struck by cancer and cardiovascular disease, especially children.
Julius Peppers also returned to his home team and state and became involved with recovery and cleanup after Hurricane Florence hit the Carolinas.
And, of course, Cam Newton, who currently leads online voting for the Man of the Year award, has spent years as the siren of Charlotte with his programs for underprivileged children. From SantaCam to his Thanksgiving Feast to his work with Make-a-Wish and the countless times he has brought food and fellowship to the homeless in Charlotte with no expected publicity, Newton has taken his great power and great responsibility seriously. It doesn’t take a national award to prove that Panthers players are active in making their communities better, but the Panthers certainly deserve it.