The NFL announced just prior to Super Bowl XLV kickoff that Vikings safety Madieu Williams is its 2010 Walter Payton Man of the Year. He is eligible to donate $20,000 to a charity of his choosing.
Other finalists for the Man of the Year award were Raiders cornerback Nnamdi Asomugha and Bears defensive end Israel Idonije.
Williams is currently in Iraq with United States troops.
“It is a tremendous honor to win this award named after Walter Payton, one of the greatest men to ever play in the National Football League,” said Williams, who was also named the Vikings’ 2010 Community Man of the Year for his local and national charitable works. “I’m sorry I couldn’t be there to accept the award, but it’s an even greater honor to be here in Iraq with Task Force Iron Horse on a goodwill tour watching the Super Bowl with our troops.”
Williams has funded the building of multiple schools in Sierra Leone and is the founder of the Madieu Williams charitable foundation.
More info on Williams and his good works can be found at MadieuWilliams.com.
