The Hamilton Spectator

Oh man, what a lineup!

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NEW YORK — How about getting this group together: Hall of Famers Franco Harris, Roger Staubach and LaDainian Tomlinson, plus Peyton Manning and Eli Manning and Larry Fitzgerald?

Players spanning generation­s who belong to the National Football League’s Man of the Year fraternity will be honoured during Super Bowl weekend in Minneapoli­s. Also on hand will be the family of Walter Payton, for whom the NFL’s award is named.

They will take part in special events and programs and, before the Super Bowl, former winners will be recognized on the field — including the introducti­on of the 2017 recipient. That winner will receive a $250,000 donation to a charity of his choice, and $250,000 will be donated in his name to expand Character Playbook across the country.

“The NFL is proud to host these remarkable leaders and recognize their impact on the community,” commission­er Roger Goodell said.

“From the family of the late Johnny Unitas to 2016 co-winners Larry Fitzgerald and Eli Manning, the most distinguis­hed players on and off the field will share a platform in honour of their accomplish­ments.”

The Man of the Year winners will take part in a fundraiser for the NFL Foundation and several non-profit organizati­ons.

A Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year trophy silhouette began appearing on uniforms this season to further recognize past award winners and current nominees. The five current players who have won the award — Drew Brees, Thomas Davis, Jason Witten, Fitzgerald and Eli Manning — will wear a Man of the Year patch on their jerseys for the rest of their careers.

All 2017 nominees wore a Man of the Year helmet decal through the end of the season, in recognitio­n of their accomplish­ments on and off the field. This tradition will continue for future nominees and winners of the award.

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