The Denver Broncos won Super Bowl 50, but there were many other big victories over the weekend.
San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Anquan Boldin took home arguably the most substantial win when he was named the Walter Payton Man of the Year for his contributions in the community. The award is handed out by the NFL every year to the player who not only excels on the field, but rises off the field doing charity work and elevating others.
Twelve years ago, Boldin started the Anquan Boldin Foundation, which offers numerous educational and life opportunities to underprivileged children. Boldin and his wife, Dionne, even chipped in $1 million in 2014 to bring their organization’s work to a new level. Last fall, the Foundation gave five $10,000 scholarships to students beginning college. They’ve hosted summer enrichment programs, holiday food drives, and much more.
Upon receiving the award, Boldin said,
“When I first got into the NFL nobody could tell me anything. I was living life. I had achieved my dream of one day making it into the NFL, but I soon realized that’s not what life is all about. I realized my purpose in life was not to make it to the NFL and score touchdowns. God put me on this earth for something much bigger than that and I realized and understand what my purpose is now. … It’s my prayer and my hope that I can live out the rest of my life honoring God and help as many people as possible.” (NFL)
If we can turn our attention away from the dab, and toward the work of Boldin and all other Walter Payton Man of the Year finalists, our world will be better off.
