DENVER – For his on the field performance and off the field charity work, Von Miller was nominated as the Broncos’ representative for the Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year award.
The announcement was made during a team meeting on Thursday. The league winner will be announced next February during the NFL Honors the day before Super Bowl LIII in Atlanta.
“Von’s grown into an incredibly impactful leader in the community during his eight years with the Broncos, and we congratulate him on earning our Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year nomination,” Broncos Executive Vice President of Public & Community Relations Patrick Smyth said. “Whether it’s personal causes or team initiatives, we’re proud to have so many players doing such meaningful work in the community.
Miller is a six-time Pro Bowler and a two-time captain of the Broncos squad. He joined the team in 2011 as the second overall pick in the NFL draft following his time at Texas A&M University.
In a release, the Broncos cited his work with Von’s Vision, a program that provides low-income children with vision care and eye exams. Miller himself is known for wearing eyeglasses as a role model.
The program has served schools and organizations across the Denver-metro area with free eye screenings, eye exams, and frames and lenses for students.
More recently, Von Miller made headlines with his efforts to raise $200,000 for Colorado Springs-based Shield 616, which provides armor and protective equipment to law enforcement in Colorado and other states. Miller said the spate of recent mass shootings was the impetus for him to obtain pledges from fellow Broncos players and team officials.
RELATED: Von Miller, Denver Broncos teammates donate $200k to Shield 616
Previous Broncos nominees for the Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year award include cornerback Chris Harris Jr. (2017), tight end Virgil Green (2016), safety David Bruton Jr. (2015), guard Ben Garland (2014), linebacker Wesley Woodyard (2010-11, ‘13), guard Zane Beadles (2012), cornerback Champ Bailey (2008-09), cornerback Domonique Foxworth (2007), wide receiver Rod Smith (2004, ’06), safety John Lynch (2005), linebacker Ian Gold (2003) and wide receiver Ed McCaffrey (2002).
About the Walter Payton Man of the Year Award:
The NFL’s national Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year winner will receive a charitable contribution of $500,000 — $250,000 will be donated to the winner’s charity of choice and $250,000 will be donated in his name to expand Character Playbook across the country.
All other 31 nominees will receive a donation of $50,000 in their name to expand Character Playbook, and an additional donation of up to $50,000 to their charity of choice. All donations are courtesy of the NFL Foundation, Nationwide and United Way Worldwide.
Fans are encouraged to participate in Nationwide’s 4th annual Charity Challenge, a social media campaign designed to support and promote team nominees. Fans can vote by using #WPMOYChallenge on Twitter with their favorite nominee’s last name somewhere in the post between December 6 and January 13. The player whose unique hashtag is used the most will receive a $25,000 contribution to their charity of choice, courtesy of Nationwide. Hashtag information and official rules can be found at www.nfl.com/manoftheyear.
