Anthony Barr Nominated 2021 NFL Walter Payton Man…

This summer, Barr sat down to discuss assistance opportunities with leaders from Little Earth, the only Urban Native American-preference HUD housing community in the world with over 38 different Tribes represented. Little Earth became a vital resource to the community and neighborhoods throughout Minneapolis after the George Floyd killing, feeding and providing emergency aid to over 1,000 people per day in addition to its own 1,200+ residents.

In partnership with RISE (Ross Initiative in Sports for Equality), the Vikings hosted a series of Critical Conversation sessions with Minnesota High School athletic programs to help address issues of race and injustice. Barr spoke to a group of high school coaches to discuss the significance of having these conversations in a team environment. The program with RISE further formalizes the discussions and provide statewide access for Minnesota athletic programs to engage on these essential issues.

He has spent time with local youth who are housed at the Hennepin County Juvenile Detention Center while offering support, guidance and serving as an inspiration. While in-person visits are on hold, Barr has kept up with these individuals via virtual visits and written letters.

A first-round pick in 2014, Barr has been central to the success of a Vikings defense that, from 2015-19, ranked second in the NFL in points allowed per game (18.8) and yards allowed per game (317.3) and led the league in third-down percentage (33.9 percent allowed). As Mike Zimmer’s first draft selection as head coach in 2014 (9th overall), Barr splashed onto the scene in his initial season, leading the team in tackles through the first 12 games of the season before he was shut down due to injury. Barr earned Pro Bowl honors in four consecutive seasons (2015-18) and Second-Team All-Pro in 2015. The former UCLA Bruin became the first Vikings linebacker to be selected to two Pro Bowls in their first three years in the league and the first to earn back-to-back selections since Chad Greenway (2011-12). The San Pedro, California, native is tied for fifth in all-time sacks among Vikings linebackers with 15.5. Barr also ranks fourth in Vikings linebacker history in career tackles for loss with 36. Barr has started all 93 career games he has played and five postseason contests.

As a nominee, Barr will wear a Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year helmet decal through the end of the season in recognition of his accomplishments on and off the field.

For the fourth year in a row, all 32 team winners will be highlighted as nominees and recognized for their important work during the weekend leading up to Super Bowl LVI. The 2021 Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year will be announced during NFL Honors, a primetime awards special to air the Thursday before Super Bowl LVI, on ABC.

All 32 nominees will receive a $40,000 donation in their name to their charity of choice. The winner of the Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year award will receive a $250,000 donation to the charity of his choice. All donations are courtesy of the NFL Foundation and Nationwide.

Fans are encouraged to participate in Nationwide’s 7th annual Charity Challenge, a social media campaign designed to support and promote team nominees. Fans can vote on Twitter by using #WPMOYChallenge followed by their favorite nominee’s last name or Twitter handle. The player whose unique hashtag is used the most between Dec. 7 and Jan. 17 will receive a $25,000 contribution to his charity of choice, while the second and third place finishers will receive $10,000 and $5,000 donations, all courtesy of Nationwide. Hashtag information and official rules can be found at nfl.com/manoftheyear along with more information about the Walter Payton Man of the Year Award.