G Brian Waters has been named by the Kansas City Chiefs as its nominee for this year’s Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year award. He joins 31 other candidates, one from each NFL franchise, in consideration for the illustrious accolade. Chosen by an esteemed blue-ribbon panel, NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell will announce the recipient of this league-wide honor just prior to kickoff of Super Bowl XLIII on Sunday, February 1, in Tampa, Florida. Waters was also one of four NFL players named as finalists for last season’s award.

The Brian Waters 54 Foundation was created in 2005 to provide opportunities for underprivileged children and families from low-income areas. The work and focus of the foundation serves those in Brian’s hometown, Waxahachie, Texas and also those low-income individuals in the Greater Kansas City area. In addition to the work he does through his foundation, Brian has personally donated over $1M to charitable organizations in Waxahachie, Dallas, and Kansas City. In addition to the work he does via his foundation, Brain donates both a significant amount of funding and time to numerous charitable entities.

Brian’s supports underserved children and families, physically challenged, education, athletics, and health and wellness. His charitable efforts include: Provided $115,000 in scholarships last two years for Waxahachie HS, personally funded college education for his three brothers, volunteers at an alternative school, hosts annual Punt Pass & Kick competition for 50 Special Olympians, serves as co-chairman for First Downs for Down Syndrome which now raises over $500,000 annually, volunteers regularly at the Promise House and also sponsors field trips, annually provides school supplies/uniforms for 200 children, donates $12,000 for Christmas gifts, and incentivizes children with 20 Dallas Cowboys season tickets, donated additional $17,000 in 2008 for school supplies, provides Chiefs season tickets for children from the Love Fund, hosts monthly pizza parties, donated $15,000 to the Love Fund and assists with raising funds throughout the year, donated $46,000 for Habitat for Humanity House, hosted shopping spree for 50 youth with $100 gift cards, sponsors Thanksgiving meal annually for 60 homeless children, provides sweatshirts and caps, provided meal for 500 people, donates annually to the Chiefs Thanksgiving Distribution, hosts annual Salvation Army collection, $5,000 sponsor for movie screening for homeless youth, sponsors Project Safe Place, served as NFL United Way spokesperson, sponsoring after school program in 2009 which includes tutoring, snacks, and activities, donated $100,000 to Waxahachie Pee Wee Football to keep program afloat, encouraged community leaders to join his mission, annually donates 30 Cowboys season tickets and hosts free football/basketball camp for 300 children, donated $12,500 to Chiefs Youth Football Field, served as a mentor for NFL Play It Smart, served as spokesperson for Chiefs Breast Cancer Awareness, Tackle Diabetes, and What Moves U campaigns, donates $10,000 annually to host “Appreciation/Fun Day/Health Fair” for Waxahachie community, donated to Hurricane Katrina relief efforts, donates Super Bowl, Pro Bowl, and NBA All-Star game ticket packages annually to Pee Wee Football, YMCA, and FCA for fund raising efforts, and makes appearances throughout the year on behalf of his teammates and the Chiefs organization.

A nine-year NFL veteran, Waters initial forte into the NFL came as a rookie-free agent TE with the Dallas Cowboys in 1999. Released prior to the start of that season, Waters signed on the next year with the Chiefs, switching to the offensive line. The former North Texas standout became a starter for the Red and Gold in 2001 and is now recognized as one of the best at his trade. During his time with Kansas City, he has appeared in 132 games making 118 starts. A four-time Pro Bowl performer, Waters has become a team leader on and off the field. He also currently serves as the team’s NFLPA representative.

The prestigious Walter Payton Man of the Year award is unique among NFL honors. It is the only NFL acknowledgment that recognizes a player for his community service activities as well as his excellence on the field. The Award has been given annually since 1970 and no franchise has garnered more honorees than the Chiefs. Members of the Red and Gold who have taken home the Gladiator Statue, which is given to the winner, include such current and future members of the Pro Football Hall of Fame as LB Willie Lanier (1972), QB Len Dawson (1973), LB Derrick Thomas (1993) and G Will Shields (2003).

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