Bears cornerback Charles Tillman is the 2013 recipient of the Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year Award, the NFL announced on Saturday night.
The award recognizes a player’s contributions in the community and on the field.
Tillman’s “Cornerstone Foundation” is committed to helping ill and at-risk children through a variety of programs. The foundation’s “Tiana Fund” has distributed more than $1 million to families in need since its inception, according to the NFL.
Panthers linebacker Thomas Davis and Cardinals kicker Jay Feely were also finalists for the 2013 award.
The Man of the Year Award is named for Payton, the late Hall of Fame Bears running back. Tillman, 32, is the fifth Bears player to be honored with the award, with Payton (1977), the late Dave Duerson (1987), Mike Singletary (1990) and Jim Flanigan (2000) the others.