Linebacker Takeo Spikes had a standout season.
On and off the field.
After a turn-back-the-clock performance in his 13th year in the NFL, Spikes is the 49ers’ nominee for the Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year Award. The award, named after the Bears’ legendary running back, recognizes player’s volunteer and charity work as well as excellence on the field.
Each of the NFL’s 32 teams nominates a player for the award. The three finalists will be announced during the NFC Championship Game on Sunday. The winner will be recognized during the Super Bowl. Recent winners include Kurt Warner, Drew Brees, LaDainian Tomlinson and Peyton Manning.
In 2003, Spikes launched 51 Ways, Inc. with former NFL linebacker Carlos Emmons. Spikes and Emmons have lost family members to cancer and their foundation provides financial, spiritual and physical support to families of children with cancer and blood disorders. Spikes is also involved in a variety of the team’s community relations events, which range from hospital visits to shopping with children during the holidays.
The team’s beat writers also voted Spikes the winner of the Garry Niver Award for his cooperation and professionalism with the media.
On the field, Spikes, who was splitting playing time with rookie NaVorro Bowman early in the season, finished with 109 tackles, his highest total since 2003, according to NFL statistics. Spikes also shared team-high honors with three interceptions.
Spikes, who turned 34 on Dec. 17, is an unrestricted free agent. If his Twitter account is any indication, he would like to return to the 49ers. Asked on Friday if wanted to come back, Spikes wrote, “I wouldn’t be entertaining this question if I wasn’t.” Teams can re-sign their own free agents until the Collective Bargaining Agreement expires on March 4.
The NFL Man of the Year Award was established in 1970 and renamed for Payton in 1999.
A look at the past winners (a 49ers player has never won the award, but former coach Mike Singletary won in 1990):
2009: Brian Waters, Chiefs
2008: Kurt Warner, Cardinals
2007: Jason Taylor, Dolphins
2006: Drew Brees, Saints; LaDainian Tomlinson, Chargers
2005: Peyton Manning, Colts
2004: Warrick Dunn, Faclons
2003: Will Shields, Chiefs
2002: Troy Vincent, Eagles
2001: Jerome Bettis, Steelers
2000: Derrick Brooks, Buccaneers; Jim Flanigan, Bears
1999: Cris Carter, Vikings
1998: Dan Marino, Dolphins
1997: Troy Aikman, Cowboys
1996: Darrell Green, Redskins
1995: Boomer Esiason, Jets
1994: Junior Seau, Chargers
1993: Derrick Thomas, Chiefs
1992: John Elway, Broncos
1991: Anthony Muñoz, Bengals
1990: Mike Singletary, Bears
1989: Warren Moon, Oilers
1988: Steve Largent, Seahawks
1987: Dave Duerson, Bears
1986: Reggie Williams, Benagls
1985: Dwight Stephenson, Dolphins
1984: Marty Lyons, Jets
1983: Rolf Benirschke, Chargers
1982: Joe Theismann, Redskins
1981: Lynn Swann, Steelers
1980: Harold Carmichael, Eagles
1979: Joe Greene, Steelers
1978: Roger Staubach, Cowboys
1977: Walter Payton, Bears
1976: Franco Harris, Steelers
1975: Ken Anderson, Bengals
1974: George Blanda, Raiders
1973: Len Dawson, Chiefs
1972: Willie Lanier, Chiefs
1971: John Hadl, Chargers
1970: Johnny Unitas, Colts
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