Linebacker London Fletcher is one of three finalists for the 2009 Walter Payton Man Of the Year award, the NFL announced on Sunday.
The Walter Payton Man of the Year award is the only league award that recognizes player off-the-field community service as well as playing excellence. Kansas City Chiefs guard Brian Waters and Cleveland Browns wide receiver Mike Furrey are the other two finalists.
As the Redskins' nominee, Fletcher demonstrated an outstanding balance between civic and professional responsibilities last season.
"I'm extremely humbled by being one of the three finalists," Fletcher said in comments distributed by the Redskins on Sunday. "Each team submits all their individual Man Of the Year candidates, so out of 32 players I'm one of three who's been selected to be the Walter Payton Man of the Year. Truly I'm honored."
Added Fletcher: "Walter Payton--I looked up to him when I was a youngster back in elementary school and junior high. I remember the way he was as a player and also the things he did off the field. To be mentioned as a finalist for an award named after him makes it even more special."
As the Redskins' nominee, Fletcher received a $1,000 donation for his London's Bridge Foundation.
The three finalists for the Walter Payton Man Of the Year award receive an additional $5,000.
The winner will be announced on field right before kickoff of Super Bowl XLIV. The winner will receive a $25,000 donation to the charity of his choice.
An undrafted free agent from John Carroll, a Division 3 college, Fletcher has played every game since entering the NFL -- a remarkable feat given that he plays a physically challenging position.
Fletcher has played in 190 career games, with 148 consecutive starts, and has posted 10 consecutive seasons with 100 tackles, including this year.
He is an 8-time Pro Bowl alternate, 2-time Redskins defensive captain and Player of the Year, and NFLPA All-Fundamentals, All-Madden, Rams Rookie of the Year, and 4-time Walter Payton Man of the Year nominee.
Fletcher started London's Bridge to "build a bridge to our future" by addressing inequities facing children through education, leadership, teamwork, and recreation by providing college test preparation, campus tours, scholarships, and a bike giveaway.
As a Sports Ambassador for Children's Inn, a sanctuary for sick children treated at the National Institutes of Health, Fletcher spends hours building relationships with the residents. He visits wounded warriors and greets terminally ill children following home games.
Through "London's Brigade," a curriculum mentoring program, students visited Capitol Hill, talked with congressmen, and explored museums. Students distributed food to underserved residents alongside London and participated in a forum about peer pressure, health, and education. Students maintained a journal and stayed connected through social media tools, which London made available in a safe, no-cost manner.
The prestigious award was renamed in 1999 for the legendary Chicago Bears Pro Football Hall of Fame running back Walter Payton. The Walter Payton Man of the Year Award has been given annually since 1970.
Redskins nominees of the Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year this decade include Fletcher, 2008; Rocky McIntosh, 2007; Renaldo Wynn, 2006; Shawn Springs, 2005; Chris Cooley, 2004; Darnerien McCants, 2003; Eddie Mason, 2002 and Chris Samuels, 2001.
Darrell Green, nominated in 1996, and Joe Theismann, nominated in 1982, both won the national award.
