J.J. Watt of the Texans, Greg Olsen of the Panthers, and Benjamin Watson of the Ravens are the three finalists for the league’s most prestigious off-the-field award.
Greg, Benjamin and J.J. have changed countless lives with their generosity and commitment to helping others, NFL commissioner Roger Goodell said, per NFL.com. As remarkable leaders on and off the field, they personify the character of the late Walter Payton. We commend them for using their platforms to leave a positive impact on communities across the country.
Also happy to share the nomination with @BenjaminSWatson and @gregolsen88 who are both extremely deserving. This is so much bigger than just one man. It’s about the good in all of humanity.
Olsen founded Receptions for Research: The Greg Olsen Foundation, which includes the HEARTest Yard Fund. The foundation provides hospitals, doctors and scholars resources to better the lives of those affected by cancer while the fund provides families of babies affected by congenital heart disease with a multitude of services including in-home, private nursing care, physical therapy and speech therapy among other benefits.
NFL owners surprisingly awarded the game to Minneapolis after holding a secret ballot in May 2014. The northern city won the Super Bowl bid by beating out New Orleans and Indianapolis. This year’s game will mark the sixth time in NFL history that the Super Bowl has been played in a cold-weather city and the first time since Super Bowl XLVIII was played at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, N.J.
This game will mark the second time that the Super Bowl has been held in Minnesota. Back in January 1992, the Redskins blew out the Bills 37-24 in Super Bowl XXVI.
Justin Timberlake is scheduled to play at halftime of the Super Bowl and if his last Super Bowl performance was any indication, things could get kind of crazy.