The NFL released the list of 32 nominees for the Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year presented by Nationwide on Thursday. This season the New York Giants are represented by left tackle Nate Solder.
The award, which has been handed out annually since 1970, was renamed in 1999 in honor of the late Pro Football Hall of Famer Walter Payton and “recognizes an NFL player for outstanding community service activities off the field, as well as excellence on the field.”
“It’s certainly humbling, because every year, there are so many fantastic candidates from every team,†Solder said in a press release from the Giants. “Over the years, there have been so many tremendous people that have won it. I just want to be a part of the momentum for every guy. I don’t want to win it for myself. I want everyone to be successful with their organizations, what they’re doing and just bring awareness to what guys are doing in the NFL.â€
Solder and his wife, Lexi, are very active in the local New Jersey community but have also been involved in charitable efforts around globe that have taken them to Africa and Central America.
“I think anything that I’m asked to do, I want to do it with the best of my ability,†Solder said. “That’s something I always try to do, and I do have a huge responsibility. There is an accountability to each other. We have accountability as teammates. We have accountability to Christ as we serve others. I think it’s everything that we do.â€
On the field, Solder is as reliable as they come and hasn’t missed a game since 2015.
Since they’ve been handing out the award, only one Giants player has won it – Eli Manning in 2016.