Kansas City Chiefs safety and former University of Tennessee star Eric Berry has been announced as the winner of the Walter Payton Man of the Year Charity Challenge.
On Dec. 2, Nationwide insurance, the presenting sponsor of the Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year award, launched the Charity Challenge – a social media contest giving fans the opportunity to show support for their favorite Man of the Year Award nominee and offering players a chance to secure an additional $20,000 for their cause.
Fans were invited to vote for their favorite nominee by using that player’s unique hashtag on any social media platform. The player whose unique hashtag was used the most by Dec. 31 would receive a $20,000 donation to his charity of choice, courtesy of Nationwide.
Eric’s unique hashtag, #BerryWPMOYChallenge, was used more than 94,000 times. Nationwide will donate the $20,000 to the Eric Berry Foundation, which provides opportunities and safe environments for kids in sports.
“I’m humbled by the overwhelming amount of support from Chiefs Kingdom, Vol Nation, family, friends and those across the country,” Berry told KCChiefs.com. “This community has rallied for me since the day I was drafted here, and I am truly grateful to receive this honor.”
The 2015 season marks the second year of Nationwide’s sponsorship of the Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year Award, which recognizes a player for his excellence on and off the field.
The award winner will be announced during the fifth annual NFL Honors awards show at 9 p.m. Feb. 6 on CBS.