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Winning any of the AP’s individual NFL awards C.J. Anderson Jersey , from MVP to top rookie, means plenty to players.Being nominated for, no lminimize how proud a guy is when he’s voted one of the prestigious individual awards. It’s a portion of his resume that jumps off the page the way Saquon Barkley hurdles over potential tacklers.But being selected for the Payton award, renamed in 1999 for the great Chicago Bears running back and humanitarian, involves so much more than football achievements.“It is probably one of my greatest accomplishments,” says 2013 winner Charles Tillman, who played 12 seasons at cornerback for the Bears and his final year with the Panthers. “It really shows the true character of a person.“When fans see us, they just assume a lot of times we are just athletes. They don’t know what these men do on their days off during the season, in the community. A lot of players really put their community service in every week of the year. They get their charity work done and their volunteer work.“The Walter Payton Award is about excellence off the field. I am proud to be associated with that award.”Who wouldn’t be? In a time when many NFL players have been criticized or even condemned for their protests of social and racial injustice during the national anthem, many — if not most of them — also have been doing good deeds in their communities. They don’t do it for recognition or applause. As Tillman notes, they do it because they can “shed light on a bigger thing. It’s not just football. It’s about being a good person, serving other people and loving other people.”Unlike in the past, when three finalists were selected before a recipient was chosen Samson Ebukam Jersey , one player from every NFL team is a finalist. All will be recognized and participate in NFL functions during Super Bowl week. The Man of the Year will be revealed at NFL Honors, when The Associated Press’ individual NFL awards are announced Feb. 2 in Atlanta.Five current players have won the award: Drew Brees, Thomas Davis, Larry Fitzgerald, Eli Manning and J.J. Watt, and they wear a Man of the Year patch on their jerseys. All 2018 finalists will wear a Man of the Year helmet decal beginning this week through the end of the season.“It’s a tremendous honor,” Jets offensive tackle Kelvin Beachum says. This week, Beachum surprised Ca’moore Jones, an eighth-grade student at Orange Preparatory Academy in New Jersey, with two Super Bowl tickets. Moore was nominated by his teacher, Glenn Gamble, for his performance and growth with the Character Playbook course that is embraced by the NFL.“Just the name Walter Payton, he’s the gold standard,” Beachum said. “What he did off the field and on the field Cooper Kupp Jersey , his excellence is bar none, top in history. So to be mentioned in the same name and the same breath as him, it’s truly humbling.”Humbling is an appropriate word because the award finalists often feel that sensation during their community work.“I’ve been blessed to play in this league for 13 years and to be a part of some really good seasons,” says Rams offensive tackle Andrew Whitworth, who is heavily involved with the Make-A-Wish Foundation. “But making a difference in someone’s life will go beyond football any day of the week. It’s not just about the game, it’s about the opportunity to bring people together. When I look back and think about my NFL career, the time spent out in the community giving back to people in need will always be the most touching to me.”Adds Colts DE Jabaal Sheard: “With our jobs as NFL players comes a huge platform to brighten and improve the lives of others, and that’s what I strive to do every day.”Tillman knows firsthand how kind and giving people can be. His own family was helped in 2008 when his infant daughter Tiana needed a heart transplant. Magali Garcia, the mother of 9-week-old Armando, who died in a Minnesota hospital, offered her son’s heart.To Tillman, Magali Garcia is a hero, not him. She is what the Payton award is all about.“When my daughter needed a new heart, another person stepped up and decided to take a bad situation and turn it into a success story John Johnson Jersey ,” Tillman says. “She not only blessed my family but other families with her choice.“For all we do in our foundation, it is a great blessing for what this woman did for her son. Magali, she is the one who actually is blessing those people, blesses them every day, and doesn’t even know it. She served my family and a lot of families and she made an amazing choice. A tough decision. I think about her son a lot and I truly am sorry. She is a part of my family, and for us to have this story that has bonded us, and this connection, and to turn that negative into something positive by blessing other people … I get great satisfaction in that.”So when the NFL Honors program is televised the night before the Super Bowl, pay special attention to the names below. Maybe stand up and give them an ovation for the truly special things they do:Arizona Cardinals: Antoine BetheaAtlanta Falcons: Grady JarrettBaltimore Ravens: Brandon CarrBuffalo Bills: Lorenzo AlexanderCarolina Panthers: Julius PeppersChicago Bears: Trey BurtonCincinnati Bengals: Carlos DunlapCleveland Browns: Christian KirkseyDallas Cowboys: Dak PrescottDenver Broncos: Von MillerDetroit Lions: Matthew StaffordGreen Bay Packers: Kenny ClarkHouston Texans: Whitney MercilusIndianapolis Colts: Jabaal SheardJacksonville Jaguars: Blake BortlesKansas City Chiefs: Dustin ColquittLos Angeles Chargers: Corey LiugetLos Angeles Rams: Andrew WhitworthMiami Dolphins: Kenny StillsMinnesota Vikings: Kyle RudolphNew England Patriots: Devin McCourtyNew Orleans Saints: Mark IngramNew York Giants: Michael ThomasNew York Jets: Kelvin BeachumOakland Raiders: Marshawn LynchPhiladelphia Eagles: Chris LongPittsburgh Steelers: Cameron HeywardSan Francisco 49ers: Robbie GouldSeattle Seahawks: K.J. WrightTampa Bay Buccaneers: Gerald McCoyTennessee Titans: Jurrell CaseyWashington Redskins: Vernon DavisRandom Ramsdom 8/22: For Los Angeles Rams, Easley does it, hopefully. Easley is back, but where is he? I Los Angeles Rams’ Official SiteIn a surprise experiment, the Rams have decided to give the recently activated Dominique Easley a shot at playing outside linebacker; citing that the less physical nature of playing outside might be beneficial to the oft-injured Easley. Perhaps it speaks to the current state of that edge opposite Samson Ebukam, that the Rams are still exploring their options going into their all-important third preseason game. Also of note Jared Goff Jersey , they recently entertained the idea of bringing in Junior Gallette to man the position. Ndamukong clowns the ‘Phins with a gut shot & starters get to play I Los Angeles TimesNdamukong Suh had a little fun at his ex-team’s expense, after watching Carolina running back Christian McCaffrey gash them for a 71-yard scamper, “right up the gut.” Of course, Suh would likely have been occupying “the gut” had the Dolphins retained his services. Also, it sounds like we’ll finally get to see the starters, albeit in limited action this Saturday as the Rams entertain the Houston Texans at the Coliseum. The Texans are expected to field all available starters as well. Barron back and looking for a Week 1 return I USA Today (Rams Wire)Mark Barron returned to practice following shoulder and Achilles injuries suffered last year. Most likely we won’t see Barron until the Rams week one clash with Oakland. Barron will be the team’s only returning starting linebacker, and will be looked to as a leader in that group in 2018.Gambling is a disease, and here are the Week 1 lines! I Bleacher ReportOf course, no Turf Showers are interested in the Week 1 lines, but just in case, here are the lines. Look like the Rams will open the season as 3 point favorites in the there Monday Night clash in Oakland, with the over/under set at 49.5. Note: The Rams won by 52 points last time they played the Raiders. Never forget. Tyrann Mathieu set to make his Texans debut against the Rams I USA Today (Texans Wire)This week, we’ll get our first glimpse of the “Honey Badger” Tyrann Mathieu as a Houston Texan, when the Texans travel to L.A. this Saturday. Of course Tyler Higbee Jersey , as a former NFC Wester, he’s already a familiar face, and one that will be nice to see less of, now that he’s in the AFC. The Rams top Bleacher Report’s Power Rankings I Bleacher Report The Rams are atop the Bleacher Report Power Rankings this week after a solid effort by their backups to hold off the Raiders backups last Saturday at the Coliseum. Some would call the offense vanilla, but after such a gutty victory, it should be obvious that the they are now superior to the Eagles, Vikings, and Patriots. Thank you B/R.