SAN FRANCISCO — The Giants are not in town for the Super Bowl, but their franchise quarterback, Eli Manning, still can be a big winner here this week.
Manning is up for the NFL’s most prestigious honor. He is one of three finalists for the Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year Award, which recognizes an NFL player for excellence on and off the field. No Giants player ever has won the award. Eli’s older brother, Peyton, won the award in 2005.
The award was established in 1970 and renamed in 1999 after Payton, the late Hall of Fame Bears running back. Every NFL team nominates one player who has made a significant impact in his community. Manning was the Giants’ Man of the Year every season from 2007 to 2013 and also in 2015. The two other finalists for this year’s award are 49ers receiver Anquan Boldin and Saints tight end Benjamin Watson. The winner will be announced Saturday night during the NFL Honors awards show.
“Honestly, when you get nominated as one of the top three, I think you’re a winner no matter what,’’ Eli said. “It’s an honor to be included with Anquan and Ben Watson. I’m proud of the work that I do off the field with charities, I feel like I’m making a difference in people’s lives. I count my blessings every day and try to pass those blessings along to other people who are going through tough times. Whoever’s name they call on Saturday, we’re all winners and we’re all doing good things to help our communities and help other people.’’
Manning’s reach extends far beyond the field. He has served as the Chair of the New York March for Babies for the past seven years. He also is involved with “Tackle Kids’ Cancer,” an initiative with Hackensack University Medical Center. Manning and his wife founded the Eli and Abby Manning Children’s Clinics in 2007 in Mississippi. They also created the University of Mississippi Medical Center Manning Family Fund, which received close to $1.5 million in its first year in 2015.
Manning also works with the American Red Cross, Guiding Eyes for the Blind, participates in the No More campaign; contributes to the Operation Smile’s NYC gala, has a scholarship endowment at the University of Mississippi and has fulfilled numerous Make-A-Wish and Wounded Warrior experiences.
“It means a lot to us,’’ said Eli’s father, Archie. “Walter Payton was a great friend of mine and a great Mississippian.’’
The two runners-up will receive a $6,000 donation to their charity of choice. The winner will receive an additional $50,000 donation to his charity of choice.
“It’s impressive, one, that the three of us are still playing in the NFL after 12, 13 years, but also the work we’re doing off the field,’’ Manning said. “Knowing these guys, knowing them personally, [I’ve] been impressed with their work on the field and seeing that their work off the field is so meaningful to them and making such an impact in their communities, it’s a special day.’’