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    2015-16 Walter Payton Man of the Year Award: Full List of Nominees and Reaction

    Mike Chiari@mikechiariX.com LogoFeatured ColumnistDecember 2, 2015

    The 2014 Walter Payton Man of the Year award winner Carolina Panthers linebacker Thomas Davis speaks during the first round of the 2015 NFL Football Draft, Thursday, April 30, 2015, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Paul Beaty)
    Paul Beaty/Associated Press

    The Walter Payton Man of the Year Award is among the most prestigious honors in sports, and all 32 NFL teams revealed their nominees for the 2015-16 edition Wednesday.

    NFL.com provided a list of the players who will have an opportunity to succeed 2014-15 winner Thomas Davis of the Carolina Panthers:

    2015-16 Walter Payton Man of the Year Award Nominees
    PlayerTeam
    Patrick PetersonArizona Cardinals
    Patrick DiMarcoAtlanta Falcons
    Steve Smith Sr.Baltimore Ravens
    Eric WoodBuffalo Bills
    Greg OlsenCarolina Panthers
    Matt ForteChicago Bears
    Carlos DunlapCincinnati Bengals
    Gary BarnidgeCleveland Browns
    Brandon CarrDallas Cowboys
    David Bruton Jr.Denver Broncos
    Stephen TullochDetroit Lions
    Sam BarringtonGreen Bay Packers
    J.J. WattHouston Texans
    Dwayne AllenIndianapolis Colts
    Zane BeadlesJacksonville Jaguars
    Eric BerryKansas City Chiefs
    Ryan TannehillMiami Dolphins
    Chad GreenwayMinnesota Vikings
    Devin McCourtyNew England Patriots
    Benjamin WatsonNew Orleans Saints
    Eli ManningNew York Giants
    Eric DeckerNew York Jets
    Justin TuckOakland Raiders
    Connor BarwinPhiladelphia Eagles
    Cameron HeywardPittsburgh Steelers
    Darrell StuckeySan Diego Chargers
    Anquan BoldinSan Francisco 49ers
    Richard ShermanSeattle Seahawks
    Chris LongSt. Louis Rams
    Vincent JacksonTampa Bay Buccaneers
    Delanie WalkerTennessee Titans
    Ryan KerriganWashington Redskins
    NFL.com

    The Walter Payton Man of the Year Award recognizes the NFL player who is deemed to have the greatest philanthropic influence within the community his team represents.

    Per NFL.com, the winner will be announced during the NFL Honors awards show Feb. 6, but every nominee will receive a $5,000 donation to a charity of his choice.

    Following the announcement of the nominees, NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell released a statement regarding the importance of the league's players contributing to their respective communities.

    "Serving their communities and philanthropic causes is a strong and long-standing tradition of NFL players," Goodell said. "These outstanding young men embrace and represent that important commitment of giving back to our communities. We salute and thank our players for their leadership."

    The NFL's Man of the Year Award has been in existence since 1970, but it took on even greater meaning in 1977 when it was renamed after legendary Chicago Bears running back Walter Payton.

    2015-16 Walter Payton Man of the Year Award: Full List of Nominees and Reaction
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    Payton is someone many players strive to be like both on and off the field, and having their name attached to his is a massive honor in addition to the personal satisfaction they get for contributing in the community.

    Follow @MikeChiari on Twitter.