Green Bay Packers

Sam Barrington nominated for Man of the Year award

Published Dec. 3, 2015 1:10 p.m. ET

foxsports

The NFL's 32 nominees for the Walter Payton Man of the Year award were announced on Wednesday, and linebacker Sam Barrington was selected from the Green Bay Packers.

Barrington's bio on the NFL's official website highlights efforts with human services in the Green Bay area:

Entering his third season in the NFL and with the Green Bay Packers, Sam Barrington continues to heavily invest his time and talents outside of football into the community. For years, Sam has dedicated his time to the Big Brothers Big Sisters of Wood and Brown County, attending the annual bowling event for the children of Wood County and attending a Green Bay Gamblers game with supporters of the Brown County Big Brothers Big Sisters.

Sam has also contributed his time to support the Brown County Human Services Department Pals Program. The program matches children from low-income, single parent families with an adult mentor to spend a few hours a week in a recreational or learning activity. Many of these children have faced abuse, neglect and domestic violence, or have a deceased parent or a parent with a disability.

A seven-person panel -- including NFL commissioner Roger Goodell and Connie Payton, Walter Payton's widow -- will announce three finalists in January 2016 and the winner will be named at the NFL Honors awards show on Super Bowl Sunday Eve. Each nominee receives a $5,000 donation to the charity of his choice; the winner gets an additional $50,000 ($6,000 for runners up).