Wayne's Greg Olsen Misses Out On NFL Man of The Year Award

WAYNE, N.J. — Greg Olsen did not win the NFL's Walter Payton Man of the Year Award Saturday, the league's highest honor.

New York Giants' quarterback Eli Manning and Arizona Cardinals' wide receiver were named Co-Men of the Year.

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

The foundation's Receiving Hope program funds cancer research, support and education initiatives. He also hosts an annual charity kickball game in Chicago in support of the foundation.

In early 2013, Olsen and his wife Kara founded the HEARTest Yard Fund. The family created the foundation after a routine examination of their unborn son, T.J., showed he had a congenital defect. He had four open-heart surgeries before he turned 2.

Aimee Cantadore told ESPN that the foundation provided her daughter Macie Joy with 280 hours of in-home nurse care through the foundation.

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.

Send local news tips, photos, and press releases to daniel.hubbard@patch.com. Get Patch breaking news alerts sent right to your phone with our new app. Download here.

Photo by Sgt. Leticia Samuels — public domain