North Jersey's Greg Olsen Named NFL Man Of The Year Finalist

Greg Olsen was named one of three finalists for the Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year Award, the NFL announced Sunday.

Olsen is a Wayne Hills High School alumnus and a tight end for the Carolina Panthers. He founded Receptions for Research: The Greg Olsen Foundation in 2009 after his mother Sue survived breast cancer.

The foundation's Receiving Hope program focuses on cancer research, support and education. He also hosts an annual charity kickball game in Chicago in support of the foundation. Olsen used to play for the Chicago Bears.

In early 2013, Olsen and his wife Kara founded the HEARTest Yard Fund after a routine examination of their unborn son, T.J., showed he had a congenital defect.

Since its inception, the fund has distributed nearly $1.25 million to support families of babies affected by congenital heart disease.

Olsen is a four-time team captain, three-time Pro Bowler and played in Super Bowl 50 last year. He is one of the Carolina Panthers' best receives. He ranks in the top 10 all-time among NFL tight ends in receptions (622) and receiving yards (7,365) and is near the top 10 in receiving touchdowns (52).

The Giants' Eli Manning and Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald are the other two finalists for the award. The winner will be announced at NFL Honors, a two-hour award special Feb. 4, the day before Super Bowl LI.

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Photo by Sgt. Leticia Samuels — public domain