The NFL handed out the Walter Payton Man of the Year Award on Saturday, and San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Anquan Boldin took home the hardware. He does as much community work as anybody, and it was nice to see him honored for it. As he puts it, it's about giving back and not the awards, but recognition is still cool.
Boldin spoke with the media after winning the award, and below are some of his comments. The video above? That's from earlier in the week when Boldin spoke with SB Nation's Dan Rubenstein on the illustrious quiz show, Answer The Question. Boldin did solid work on the show, so give it a watch.
(on what the Walter Payton Award means for him) "This award means a lot. It's definitely an honor for me to be honored in this way. I think it's an award that all of the guys in the NFL relate to, but I think I speak for myself when I speak for the guys that were nominated with me, we don't do it for awards or the accolades. We really do it because we truly believe in what we're doing and it's in our hearts."
(on how this award puts his foundation in the spotlight and what it means for its future) "I think it does just that - bring to light what the foundation does. I think it gets it credibility, and I think it helps with people that are probably on the fence about joining in or partnering up with the foundation. I think it gives them the OK and lets them know the organization is legit."
(on how he has seen this award's prestige grow among the players over the years) "I've seen it grow a lot over the years. For me, this is my second year as a finalist, and I think the thing I see most about it is the way that the NFL has pushed it. In past years, you didn't hear as much about the Walter Payton Man of the Year award, but I think the NFL has made it a priority and to spotlight what guys are doing on the field. I think that's a great thing."
(on how this ranks among his other accomplishments) "It definitely ranks right at the top. For me, football is momentary, but helping people definitely lasts for a lifetime, and honestly, it goes on even after you're dead and gone."