https://www.coltsfanshop.com , from MVP to top rookie, means plenty to players.Being nominated for, no less winning, the Walter Payton Man of the Year award means more.Don’t minimize how proud a guy is when he’s voted one of the prestigious individual awards. It’s a portion of his resume that jumps off the page the way Saquon Barkley hurdles over potential tacklers.But being selected for the Payton award, renamed in 1999 for the great Chicago Bears running back and humanitarian, involves so much more than football achievements.“It is probably one of my greatest accomplishments,” says 2013 winner Charles Tillman, who played 12 seasons at cornerback for the Bears and his final year with the Panthers. “It really shows the true character of a person.“When fans see us, they just assume a lot of times we are just athletes. They don’t know what these men do on their days off during the season, in the community. A lot of players really put their community service in every week of the year. They get their charity work done and their volunteer work.“The Walter Payton Award is about excellence off the field. I am proud to be associated with that award.”Who wouldn’t be? In a time when many NFL players have been criticized or even condemned for their protests of social and racial injustice during the national anthem, many — if not most of them — also have been doing good deeds in their communities. They don’t do it for recognition or applause. As Tillman notes, they do it because they can “shed light on a bigger thing. It’s not just football. It’s about being a good person, serving other people and loving other people.”Unlike in the past, when three finalists were selected before a recipient was chosen, one player from every NFL team is a finalist. All will be recognized and participate in NFL functions during Super Bowl week. The Man of the Year will be revealed at NFL Honors, when The Associated Press’ individual NFL awards are announced Feb. 2 in Atlanta.Five current players have won the award: Drew Brees, Thomas Davis, Larry Fitzgerald Indianapolis Colts Customized Jerseys , Eli Manning and J.J. Watt, and they wear a Man of the Year patch on their jerseys. All 2018 finalists will wear a Man of the Year helmet decal beginning this week through the end of the season.“It’s a tremendous honor,” Jets offensive tackle Kelvin Beachum says. This week, Beachum surprised Ca’moore Jones, an eighth-grade student at Orange Preparatory Academy in New Jersey, with two Super Bowl tickets. Moore was nominated by his teacher, Glenn Gamble, for his performance and growth with the Character Playbook course that is embraced by the NFL.“Just the name Walter Payton, he’s the gold standard,” Beachum said. “What he did off the field and on the field, his excellence is bar none, top in history. So to be mentioned in the same name and the same breath as him, it’s truly humbling.”Humbling is an appropriate word because the award finalists often feel that sensation during their community work.“I’ve been blessed to play in this league for 13 years and to be a part of some really good seasons,” says Rams offensive tackle Andrew Whitworth, who is heavily involved with the Make-A-Wish Foundation. “But making a difference in someone’s life will go beyond football any day of the week. It’s not just about the game, it’s about the opportunity to bring people together. When I look back and think about my NFL career, the time spent out in the community giving back to people in need will always be the most touching to me.”Adds Colts DE Jabaal Sheard: “With our jobs as NFL players comes a huge platform to brighten and improve the lives of others, and that’s what I strive to do every day.”Tillman knows firsthand how kind and giving people can be. His own family was helped in 2008 when his infant daughter Tiana needed a heart transplant. Magali Garcia Indianapolis Colts T-Shirts , the mother of 9-week-old Armando, who died in a Minnesota hospital, offered her son’s heart.To Tillman, Magali Garcia is a hero, not him. She is what the Payton award is all about.“When my daughter needed a new heart, another person stepped up and decided to take a bad situation and turn it into a success story,” Tillman says. “She not only blessed my family but other families with her choice.“For all we do in our foundation, it is a great blessing for what this woman did for her son. Magali, she is the one who actually is blessing those people, blesses them every day, and doesn’t even know it. She served my family and a lot of families and she made an amazing choice. A tough decision. I think about her son a lot and I truly am sorry. She is a part of my family, and for us to have this story that has bonded us, and this connection, and to turn that negative into something positive by blessing other people … I get great satisfaction in that.”So when the NFL Honors program is televised the night before the Super Bowl, pay special attention to the names below. Maybe stand up and give them an ovation for the truly special things they do:Arizona Cardinals: Antoine BetheaAtlanta Falcons: Grady JarrettBaltimore Ravens: Brandon CarrBuffalo Bills: Lorenzo AlexanderCarolina Panthers: Julius PeppersChicago Bears: Trey BurtonCincinnati Bengals: Carlos DunlapCleveland Browns: Christian KirkseyDallas Cowboys: Dak PrescottDenver Broncos: Von MillerDetroit Lions: Matthew StaffordGreen Bay Packers: Kenny ClarkHouston Texans: Whitney MercilusIndianapolis Colts: Jabaal SheardJacksonville Jaguars: Blake BortlesKansas City Chiefs: Dustin ColquittLos Angeles Chargers: Corey LiugetLos Angeles Rams: Andrew WhitworthMiami Dolphins: Kenny StillsMinnesota Vikings: Kyle RudolphNew England Patriots: Devin McCourtyNew Orleans Saints: Mark IngramNew York Giants: Michael ThomasNew York Jets: Kelvin BeachumOakland Raiders: Marshawn LynchPhiladelphia Eagles: Chris LongPittsburgh Steelers: Cameron HeywardSan Francisco 49ers: Robbie GouldSeattle Seahawks: K.J. WrightTampa Bay Buccaneers: Gerald McCoyTennessee Titans: Jurrell CaseyWashington Redskins: Vernon Davis INDIANAPOLIS (AP) — Frank Reich has the inside track on Philadelphia.He coached the quarterbacks, helped construct one of the league’s most innovative offenses and worked closely with defensive coordinator Jim Schwartz before leaving for Indianapolis in February.On Sunday, the Colts are hoping Reich’s knowledge could give them a leg up on the defending Super Bowl champs this weekend.“Nothing too dramatic, a few things here and there https://www.coltsfanshop.com/hats ,” Reich said when asked about this week’s conversations with defensive coordinator Matt Eberflus.“Not anything that would be over the top. My experience is if you say too much it just confuses the matter. So you give a few personnel things, a few philosophical things, maybe one or two things to look for and then you let our defense play the way we’ve been playing.”Of course, Reich downplays the significance of this weekend’s reunion. Most coaches do.But Reich’s third game as a head coach will understandably be a big deal.It was in Philly where Reich went from rising assistant to head coaching candidate after spending two seasons with coach Doug Pederson and quarterback Carson Wentz, who is expected to make his season debut Sunday.It was in Philly where Reich finally put his fingers on the Super Bowl ring that eluded him so many other places.It was in Philly where Reich turned down interviews so he could focus solely on winning playoff games with Nick Foles following Wentz’s season-ending knee injury.And it was in Philly where he finally got the Colts’ phone call after Josh McDaniels reneged on a commitment to take over as head coach.Neither Reich nor his players see much point in making this game bigger than it needs to be.“I didn’t even think about that (Reich’s return),” quarterback Andrew Luck said Wednesday. “I don’t think anyone in this locker room needs extra motivation to win a game for him. I mean I think our guys are hungry to play. Yeah, that would be special, that would be special, that would be cool.”Reich already has given the Colts (1-1) a fresh perspective.They are off to their best start since 2013 and Luck has looked like his old self in an offense that, not so surprisingly, resembles the Eagles‘ plan.Four-time Pro Bowl receiver T.Y. Hilton is off to the best start of his career as he lines up in multiple spots. Running backs Marlon Mack and Jordan Wilkins delivered a one-two punch last week that was reminiscent of Jay Ajayi and Corey Clement. Nyheim Hines possesses natural versatility, like Darren Sproles, and the Colts’ tight ends are being asked to do more, too.Eberflus, who faced the Eagles twice a year while coaching previously in Dallas, has the Colts defense clicking, too.Rookie linebacker Darius Leonard was selected as the AFC’s defensive player of the week Wednesday after getting 18 tackles in last weekend’s 21-9 victory at Washington.Eberflus can always seek additional advice from linebacker Najee Goode, a free-agent signee who played with the Eagles last season.The Eagles know all about the potential pitfalls in facing their former offensive coordinator and are planning accordingly.“He (Reich) knows Indianapolis Colts Hoodie , obviously, our structure offensively, what we try to do, how we attack things and maybe even some of the terminology and verbiage. So, we have to be careful there,” Pederson said on a conference call with Colts’ reporters.“At the same time, we can’t change everything. There is some similarity, but at the same time we’re aware of it. We are looking forward to seeing him again on Sunday and welcoming him back to Philadelphia.”Even if the reception is less than warm — as Eagles’ fans tend to make it.But Reich returns with fond memories of the city, organization and staff that welcomed him with open arms and nothing but gratitude for the opportunity he got. All he wants to do now is win.“It (leaving Philadelphia) was bittersweet in that it was such a great experience there, such a good relationship with everyone there,” Reich said.“But there’s only 32 of these things and if it’s a goal and it’s an aspiration, you have to seize the moment.”Notes: Indy has signed running back Jeremy McNichols to the practice squad, released quarterback Phillip Walker from the practice squad and waived running back Josh Ferguson from the injured reserve list. … Team owner Jim Irsay and his family have donated $100,000 to the Wheeler Mission to help the local charity expand the Center for Women & Children, which provides emergency shelter and long-term programs for homeless women and women with children.