A few member of the Kansas City Chiefs brass commented on the report that Brian Waters is the NFL's Walter Payton Man of the Year winner. Owner Clark Hunt, President Denny Thum and former Chiefs great Willie Lanier all expressed pride in the decision to name Waters with the most prestigious award.
When Arrowhead Pride interviewed Hunt at the beginning of the season, he told us being active in the community is a point he makes to the players prior to every season.
Hunt:
"It’s very easy as a professional athlete to get focused on yourself and maybe your team’s success, but Brian has chosen to go a different path, which is to think about those who are less fortunate, specifically children, and to find myriad ways to reach out to them and make a difference in their lives."
Thum:
"When you play here, you don’t only play on the field, but you play for this city and for this community, and Brian has been a great help for our young players in getting involved in the community."
Lanier:
"It’s one thing to have it written in a contract, but it becomes one of people extending themselves to provide a high level of concern. And that high level of concern is not because someone gave you a schedule to visit places or schools. It had to have a deeper resonance in you, and the fact Brian was (a finalist) for the second time in three years … it’s a true testament to the organization and family that owns it and runs it."
Thanks to Randy Covitz of the Kansas City Star for the quotes.