The NFL Players Association announced yesterday their five finalists for the Byron “Whizzer” White Man of the Year Award. The Byron White award honors players for their work both in the community and on the field.
Dallas Cowboys tight end Jason Witten is known for his play on the football field but others know him for his countless community work in the Dallas/Ft.Worth area.
- Jason Witten’s SCORE Foundation was established to provide support and assistance for families and individuals in the area that were affected by domestic violence.
- In 2010 Witten’s foundation launched a new domestic violence prevention program called “Coaching Boys Into Men” in high schools in Arlington, Texas. The program trains coaches to educate their players on the dangers of dating violence.
- Jason and his wife Michelle also funded construction of a brand new Jason Witten-themed emergency waiting room at The Children’s Hospital at Johnson City Medical Center in Johnson City, Tenn.
Jason Witten is also a finalist for the Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year award.
The other finalists for this award are Bears cornerback Charles Tillman, Browns tight end Benjamin Watson, Steelers quarterback Charlie Batch, and Vikings linebacker Chad Greenway.
The winner of the award will get $100,000 for their charity. Below is the list of previous winners of the Byron White award.
| Season | Player | Position | Team |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2011 | Drew Brees | Quarterback | New Orleans Saints |
| 2010 | Tony Richardson | Fullback | New York Jets |
| 2009 | Nnamdi Asomugha | Cornerback | Oakland Raiders |
| 2008 | Brian Dawkins | Safety | Philadelphia Eagles |
| 2007 | Warrick Dunn | Running Back | Atlanta Falcons |
| 2006 | John Lynch | Safety | Denver Broncos |
| 2005 | Steve McNair | Quarterback | Tennessee Titans |
| 2004 | Peyton Manning | Quarterback | Indianapolis Colts |
| 2003 | Derrick Brooks | Linebacker | Tampa Bay Buccaneers |
| 2002 | Troy Vincent | Cornerback | Philadelphia Eagles |
| 2001 | Mark Brunell | Quarterback | Jacksonville Jaguars |
| 2000 | Michael McCrary | Defensive End | Baltimore Ravens |
| 1999 | Doug Pelfrey | Kicker | Cincinnati Bengals |
| 1998 | Cris Carter | Wide Receiver | Minnesota Vikings |
| 1997 | Hardy Nickerson | Linebacker | Tampa Bay Buccaneers |
| 1996 | Chris Zorich | Defensive Tackle | Chicago Bears |
| 1995 | Billy Brooks | Wide Receiver | Indianapolis Colts |
| 1994 | Derrick Thomas | Linebacker | Kansas City Chiefs |
| 1993 | Mark Kelso | Safety | Buffalo Bills |
| 1992 | Nick Lowery | Kicker | Kansas City Chiefs |
| 1991 | Reggie White | Defensive End | Philadelphia Eagles |
| 1990 | Mike Kenn | Tackle | Atlanta Falcons |
| 1989 | Ozzie Newsome | Tight End | Cleveland Browns |
| 1988 | Mike Singletary | Linebacker | Chicago Bears |
| 1987 | Deron Cherry | Safety | Kansas City Chiefs |
| 1986 | George Martin | Defensive End | New York Giants |
| 1985 | Nat Moore | Wide Receiver | Miami Dolphins |
| 1984 | Reggie Williams | Linebacker | Cincinnati Bengals |
| 1983 | Rolf Benirschke | Placekicker | San Diego Chargers |
| 1982 | Doug Dieken | Tackle | Cleveland Browns |
| 1981 | Franco Harris | Running Back | Pittsburgh Steelers |
| 1980 | Ken Houston | Safety | Washington Redskins |
| 1979 | Gene Upshaw | Guard | Oakland Raiders |
| 1978 | Roger Staubach | Quarterback | Dallas Cowboys |
| 1977 | Archie Manning | Quarterback | New Orleans Saints |
| 1976 | Lyle Alzado | Defensive End | Denver Broncos |
| 1975 | Jim Hart | Quarterback | St. Louis Cardinals |
| 1974 | Rocky Bleier | Running Back | Pittsburgh Steelers |
| 1973 | Floyd Little | Running Back | Denver Broncos |
| 1972 | Andy Russell | Linebacker | Pittsburgh Steelers |
| 1971 | Ray May | Linebacker | Baltimore Colts |
| 1970 | Kermit Alexander | Defensive back | Los Angeles Rams |
| 1969 | Gale Sayers | Running Back | Chicago Bears |
| 1968 | Eddie Meador | Safety | Los Angeles Rams |
| 1967 | Willie Davis | Defensive End | Green Bay Packers |
| 1966 | Bart Starr | Quarterback | Green Bay Packers |
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