Buccaneers name Clinton McDonald their 2017 Man of the Year nominee
On Friday, the Tampa Bay Buccaneer announced defensive tackle Clinton McDonald has been selected as the teams nominee for the NFL’s Man of the Year award for 2017.
McDonald certainly feels the strain of a long, mostly unsuccessful, Buccaneers season. However, he’s finding more and more ways off the field to ensure his time as an NFL player isn’t being wasted.
Being a worthwhile person goes way beyond the football field. McDonald understands this. Most around the team know this as well.
Now, with this nomination, there is a very real chance the entire nation will get to see just what this great steward of his community really does to impact the lives of others.
His military ties are known around the community of service members, and his efforts to reach out to this specific sector aren’t a secret either.
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Just days ago, this very site published a posting honoring the efforts of him and some of his teammates this past weekend.
His efforts have already gained recognition as he was most recently names a spokesman in USAA’s “Member Voice” campaign.
As chronicled in the Buccaneers.com’s own piece about McDonald, he’s done so much more on top of these efforts.
Per the posting, McDonald sprang into action following Hurricane Irma and organized efforts which produced more than 15,000 meals to people of the community effected by the storm.
Of the nomination, McDonald said,
“This is one of the most prestigious awards in the NFL, and it’s said that way for a reason. It helps exemplify a player who tries to go above and beyond in the community and be a beacon of light to those in need and communities in need. To be named as a nominee amongst the other 31 teams and their nominees is a great honor.”
Some other notable nominees include:
Arizona Cardinals Cornerback, Patrick Peterson
Atlanta Falcons Guard, Ben Garland
Carolina Panthers Tight End, Greg Olsen
Houston Texans Defensive End, J.J. Watt
New Orleans Saints Defensive End, Cameron Jordan
Pittsburgh Steelers Defensive End, Cameron Heyward
Seattle Seahawks Defensive End, Michael Bennett
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Previous winners of the award include quarterbacks Drew Brees and Eli Manning along with linebacker Thomas Davis, wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald and tight end Jason Witten.
Specific to 2017, those five players will wear a special uniform patch on their jersey’s starting this week. You may have noticed the one on Brees’ jersey this past Thursday.
Nominees for this year, like the Buccaneers’ McDonald, will wear helmet decals identifying them as honored nominees.
The last – and only – Bucs player to win the honor came back in 2000, when linebacker Derrick Brooks shared the title of Man of the Year along with Green Bay Packers player, Jim Flanigan.
To vote for McDonald to win this award, simply use the #WPMOYChallenge along with ‘Clinton McDonald’.
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