Wayne NFLer Nominated For Man Of The Year Award

WAYNE, N.J. — Greg Olsen, a Wayne Hills High School alumnus and Pro Bowl tight end, has been nominated for the Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year Award.

Olsen has founded two nonprofits, Receptions for Research and The Heartest Yard. Receptions for Research was founded in 2009 after Olsen's mother, Sue, was diagnosed with breast cancer. The Heartest Yard works to support families of children suffering from congenital heart disease treated at Levine Children's Hospital.

Receptions for Research helps hospitals and doctors find a cure for cancer and cardiovascular diseases.

Olsen and his wife Kara founded The Heartest Yard after their son T.J. was born with half a heart. After a number of successful surgeries, T.J. is okay, something the Olsens wanted to make sure other children with congenital heart defects are too.

The organization has helped more than 20 families since it was founded, according to People magazine.

Brandon Marshall and Eli Manning are the nominees from the New York Jets and New York Giants, respectively.

The Walter Payton Man of the Year Award was established to honor the NFL's commitment to philanthropy and players' work to positively impact their communities.

One member of each of the NFL's 32 teams is nominated for the award. Three finalists will be announced in January. The winner will be announced at NFL Honors Feb. 4 on FOX, the day before Super Bowl LI.

The NFL will donate $1 million in the name of the winning player, with half going to a charity of his choice and the other half supporting the NFL's efforts to improve youth character.

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Photo: Greg Olsen on the sideline of a Carolina Panthers game. Public domain photo