Ravens veteran middle Matt Birk was named the Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year on Saturday night, recognition for his steady play on the discipline and his motivation to neighborhood endeavors.



Birk is the very first Ravens player to win the award, presented each year to identify a participant&rsquos group support and playing excellence. The announcement was built at the &ldquoNFL Honors&rdquo award demonstrate in Indianapolis, website of Sunday&rsquos Tremendous Bowl.

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  　 I am honored and really humbled to be called the Walter Payton NFL Gentleman of the Year,　 Birk stated in a statement released by the Ravens.　 This award is not about the recipient, but fairly a celebration of the a long time-long tradition of NFL players employing their special platform to contact lives and make a optimistic and enduring effect in the communities in which they function and live. Walter Payton left a legacy that went over and above the taking part in discipline. He proceeds to be an inspiration and case authentic nfl jerseys in point of what a complete NFL player should aspire to turn out to be. I am grateful to have performed for two companies, the Minnesota Vikings and Baltimore Ravens, which motivate and support their players' neighborhood efforts. I have always regarded it a privilege to enjoy in the NFL and serve the communities that assist our recreation.　
  
  
  
  Birk, a 14-12 months veteran who has played the earlier 3 seasons with the Ravens and is contemplating retirement, had been his crew&rsquos NFL Guy of the Year recipient 8 instances and a finalist for the national award in 2008 ahead of winning this period.
  
  
  
  He was chosen above two other finalists &mdash San Diego Chargers quarterback Philip Rivers and Chicago Bears defensive back Charles Tillman &mdash by a search panel that incorporated NFL commissioner Roger Goodell, previous commissioner Paul Tagliabue, Connie Payton (Walter&rsquos widow), Professional Soccer Corridor of Famers Frank Gifford authentic jerseys wholesale nfl and Anthony Munoz, govt director of the NFL Alumni Affiliation George Martin, 2010 Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year Madieu Williams (Maryland), and Sporting activities Illustrated author Peter King.
  
  
  
  As the winner of the award, Birk will acquire the Gladiator statue before the kickoff of Sunday's Tremendous Bowl and an additional $twenty,000 donation in his title to his favored charity. He already obtained a $one,000 donation from NFL Charities to a charity of his choice for staying the Ravens&rsquo winner and a $five,000 donation for being an award finalist.
  
  
  
  Birk, 35, started all eighteen games for the Ravens &mdash he has started 96 consecutive online games all round &mdash and assisted working again Ray Rice have a vocation 12 months with a franchise-record fifteen touchdowns and a league-large two,068 yards from scrimmage.
  
  
  
  Off the field, the Harvard graduate ongoing to be productive with his &ldquoReady, Set, Examine!&rdquo program, an initiative of his HIKE Foundation (HIKE stands for Hope, Inspiration, Expertise and Education and learning). The program provides at-danger Baltimore-region young children with instructional chances and motivates them to examine at house by means of an incentive-based mostly program.
  
  
  
  Birk, a father of six, also continues to be an advocate for concussion awareness and prevention and has pledged to donate his mind and spinal cord tissues to a Boston College healthcare university software that research athletics brain injuries.
  
  
  
  The previous Minnesota Viking is a free of charge agent and he has mentioned a number of occasions for the duration of Super Bowl week that he&rsquoll either return to the Ravens subsequent time of year or retire.report=2012-02-07data
  
  
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