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Joe Thomas has been
named the Cleveland Browns' 2012 Walter Payton Man of the Year, the
team announced Thursday morning.
Cleveland Browns
Thomas named
Browns Man of the Year
Offensive lineman Joe Thomas has been selected as the Cleveland Browns
2012 Walter Payton Man of the Year. Thomas is the only player in team
history to earn the honor twice as he was also the club’s selection in
2010. Renamed in 1999 after legendary Chicago Bears Pro Football Hall
of Fame running back Walter Payton, this honor recognizes a player’s
off the field community service activities as well as his playing
excellence. The three NFL finalists will be announced at a later date,
and each will be present at Super Bowl XLVII in New Orleans on February
3, 2013, for the announcement of the NFL Man of the Year. The award has
been given annually since 1970 and past winners include many of the
league’s greatest players, 13 of whom are in the Pro Football Hall of
Fame.
Thomas has made a profound impact in Northeast Ohio, both on and off
the field. He has illustrated unwavering passion and support to help
others. Since his arrival to the Browns in 2007, he has been an
advocate for hunger relief efforts through the Cleveland Foodbank. In
support of the organization he has served as the Honorary Co-Chair for
the Taste of the Browns fundraiser each of the past four years. In
addition, he has provided Thanksgiving meals to hundreds of families
over the years.
Always looking to help those in need, earlier this year Thomas made the
largest individual financial contribution that the “Kids in Need
Resource Center” has ever received. The center helps provide school
supplies for more than 180 schools in impoverished areas. Thomas also
founded the “Blue Collar Corner” season ticket program which provided
tickets, apparel and food for the Cleveland Building and Trades
Council. In addition, he founded the “Thomas’ Troops” season ticket
program which provided tickets, apparel and food for the USO of
Northern Ohio to host men and women who serve our country every home
game.
Thomas has a deep connection with those who serve our country. In 2010,
he traveled more than 14,000 miles round trip to visit troops in
Afghanistan through the NFL/USO Tour. To this day he is still in
contact with some of the troops he met during that trip. Upon his
return, Thomas has supported a national USO campaign to raise
additional funds in support of our troops, lending his name to the
nationwide effort.
Joe and his wife, Annie, are also committed to other causes including
the local Animal Protective League, the Make A Wish Foundation,
Providence House and the Cleveland Browns Courage House by serving as
an Honorary Co-Chair. He has also served as a spokesman for both the
United Way and Fuel Up to Play 60. The Thomas’ also participated in the
Browns Adopt-A-Family program through The Littlest Heroes, an
organization that works with kids diagnosed with cancer and their
families. Next week, Thomas will offer local kids a unique holiday
shopping experience through the annual Shop with the Pro, which he will
headline.
Read the rest of the article at the Cleveland Browns
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