SAN FRANCISCO, Calif. — Anquan Boldin, San Francisco 49ers wide receiver, is 2015’s Walter Payton Man of the Year at this season’s NFL Honors.
Boldin, a three-time Pro Bowl selection, and Super Bowl champion, was honored for his contributions both on and off the field.
“When I first got into the NFL nobody could tell me anything. I was living life,” Boldin said. “I had achieved my dream of one day making it into the NFL, but I soon realized that’s not what life is all about. I realized my purpose in life was not to make it to the NFL and score touchdowns. God put me on this earth for something much bigger than that and I realized and understand what my purpose is now. … It’s my prayer and my hope that I can live out the rest of my life honoring God and help as many people as possible.”
Watch Anquan Boldin winning Walter Payton Man of the Year award here:
Anquan Boldin wins Walter Payton Man of the Year
Boldin created the Anquan Boldin (Q81) Foundation in 2004. His mission: to give better educational and life opportunities for children from underprivileged backgrounds. He’s held charitable events in Phoenix, Baltimore, South Florida and the San Francisco Bay Area.
In 2014, Boldin and his wife Dionne pledged $1 million to increase the impact of the Foundation.
Boldin has also contributed on a global scale. Since 2010, he has taken two trips to Europe – Ethiopia and Senegal – for Oxfam America. He used the testimony to lobby the White House on Senegalese rights.
The awards was presented by Walter Payton’s children, WGN’s very own Jarrett Payton and Brittney Payton, who co-hosts CLTV’s Chicago’s Best.
