Black and Blue Review
Even though he made another good argument, Thomas Davis didn’t make the Pro Bowl this season. But the Panthers linebacker is again in contention to win a prestigious off-the-field honor.
Davis, Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers and 49ers receiver Anquan Boldin were on Sunday night named finalists for the Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year Award. It’s the second straight year Davis has landed in the top three. Last year, Bears cornerback Charles Tillman won the award that recognizes a player’s community service efforts.
This year’s winner will be announced during the fourth annual NFL Honors special on Saturday, Jan. 31.
Via the NFL’s official release, here’s Davis’ résumé for the Man of the Year Award:
2014 was another strong season for linebacker Davis, who started in all 15 games he played and finished with his third consecutive 100-tackle season. Davis, a four-year team captain, totaled 129 tackles, 2.5 sacks, two forced fumbles, one fumble recovery and six passes defended. He was a key component of the Panthers 10th-ranked defense, helping the team become the first franchise to claim consecutive NFC South titles. Davis ranks second on the Panthers all-time tackles list with 831.
Off the field, Davis puts his shoulder into as many charities as he does opposing team ball carriers. In 2007, he and his wife Kelly founded the Thomas Davis Defending Dreams Foundation (TDDDF), a non-profit dedicated to providing and promoting free programs that enhance the quality of life for more than 2,000 underprivileged children and their families annually. Since its inception, the foundation has distributed more than $500,000 in aid. The foundation’s cornerstone program, the Youth Leadership Academy, is a 14-week after-school mentoring program for low-income middle school students.
Davis annually provides two college scholarships for graduating high school seniors who have completed the Youth Leadership Academy program. Through TDDDF, Davis also hosts annual programs including a back-to-school supply giveaway, a Thanksgiving meal for members of a local women’s shelter and a Christmas gift giveaway for underprivileged children, in Charlotte, N.C., parts of South Carolina and in Davis’ hometown in Georgia.
Davis is an avid proponent of keeping youth active and healthy. In June 2013, he led the construction of the first and only playground in his rural hometown of Shellman, Ga. In addition, his annual free football camp provides more than 350 children with instruction in football basics and life skills. Davis is active in the Panthers’ PLAY 60 efforts and is a frequent visitor at the local pediatric hospital.
In April 2014, Davis received the Call to Courage Award, given annually to a Christian athlete who displays exemplary character through both adversity and triumph. Davis is a four-time Walter Payton Man of the Year nominee and was a finalist in 2013 – the team’s first.