Could we have a repeat on our hands? The Kansas City Chiefs announced RB Thomas Jones as their nominee for the NFL Walter Payton Man of the Year award. Jones would become the sixth Chiefs player -- and second in as many years -- to win the award. Via KCChiefs.com:
"I am truly touched," Jones said. "While I play the game of football for a living, it doesn’t define who I am as a person. It is the work I do in the community that’s a real passion of mine. I’m not one to seek the spotlight or do things in order to receive recognition. That’s what makes this news so humbling to me."
The NFL will make the announcement of the winner before the Super Bowl on Feb. 6. Brian Waters won the award last year and he was the fifth in a long line of previous winners for the Chiefs: LB Willie Lanier (1972), QB Len Dawson (1973), LB Derrick Thomas (1993), G Will Shields (2003) and the reigning NFL Man of the Year, G Brian Waters (2009).
The Chiefs press release notes his mentoring role with RB Jamaal Charles which may go down as one of Jones' biggest impacts in Kansas City.
The Chiefs have had more winners of this award than any other NFL team.