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Each team nominates a player for the award, and the 32 nominees will be pared down to three finalists, who will be announced in January. The winner will be announced at the NFL Honors awards presentation before the Super Bowl.
"To say I am honored to represent the San Francisco 49ers as the organization's 2019 Walter Payton Man of the Year nominee would be an extreme understatement," Sherman said via a statement issued by the team. "From the moment I became a 49er, I recognized the unwavering commitment the team has to positively impact our community in a multitude of ways, in particular, its youth. I'm especially grateful to my parents for instilling the philanthropic values I carry with me today at a young age, and to my wife, Ashley, for being so passionate in those same beliefs and spearheading our family's efforts.
"Our foundation, Blanket Coverage, will continue to work to make education and resources accessible to all children because every child matters. Thank you to the NFL for creating this award which continues to raise awareness for the tremendous work so many players do on a daily basis to enrich the lives of others.
"Walter Payton embodied the spirit of community engagement and I am humbled by this nomination and the opportunity to represent his legacy."
Help me by tweeting #WPMOYChallenge Sherman to help me win this years WPMOY challenge! pic.twitter.com/Mv3ttSnALt
— Richard Sherman (@RSherman_25) December 12, 2019
Anquan Boldin is the only 49ers player to win the award. He did so in 2015 after his final season in San Francisco. Kicker Robbie Gould was last year's 49ers nominee. Chris Long of the Philadelphia Eagles was awarded the honor.
The winner of the award will receive a $250,000 donation in his name to a charity of his choice courtesy of the NFL Foundation and Nationwide. All other 31 nominees will receive a $50,000 donation in their names to their charity of choice.
Fans can also use the hashtag #WPMOYChallenge and their favorite nominee's last name on social media. The nominee who receives the most mentions will win an additional $25,000 donation courtesy of Nationwide to the charity of his choice with the runner-up receiving $10,000 and the third-place winner receiving $5,000 donations.
Sherman joined the 49ers in March of 2018 after seven seasons with the Seattle Seahawks. He has accumulated 53 tackles, 11 passes defensed, three interceptions, and a touchdown through 13 games this season.
Below is a list of the other 31 nominees across the NFL.
- Cardinals running back David Johnson
- Falcons safety Ricardo Allen
- Ravens cornerback Brandon Carr
- Bills linebacker Lorenzo Alexander
- Panthers quarterback Cam Newton
- Bears wide receiver Allen Robinson
- Bengals running back Giovani Bernard
- Browns wide receiver Jarvis Landry
- Cowboys center Travis Frederick
- Broncos safety Justin Simmons
- Lions linebacker Devon Kennard
- Packers linebacker Blake Martinez
- Texans defensive lineman D.J. Reader
- Colts cornerback Pierre Desir
- Jaguars defensive end Calais Campbell
- Chiefs punter Dustin Colquitt
- Chargers linebacker Uchenna Nwosu
- Rams tackle Andrew Whitworth
- Dolphins defensive lineman Davon Godchaux
- Vikings tight end Kyle Rudolph
- Patriots linebacker Kyle Van Noy
- Saints tackle Terron Armstead
- Giants tackle Nate Solder
- Jets center Jonotthan Harrison
- Raiders linebacker Tahir Whitehead
- Eagles safety Malcolm Jenkins
- Steelers center Maurkice Pouncey
- Seahawks linebacker Bobby Wagner
- Buccaneers wide receiver Mike Evans
- Titans center Ben Jones
- Washington long snapper Nick Sundberg
