Malcolm Jenkins a NFLPA BYRON ‘WHIZZER’ WHITE AWARD FINALIST – Ohio State Buckeyes
3/6/2015 12:00:00 AM | Football
March 6, 2015
WASHINGTON – The NFL Players Association annually recognizes players who go above and beyond to perform community service in their team cities and hometowns. The Byron “Whizzer” White Award is the highest honor the NFLPA can bestow on a player. This year’s finalists are:Dustin Colquitt (Kansas City Chiefs), Chad Greenway (Minnesota Vikings), Malcolm Jenkins (Philadelphia Eagles),Jameel McClain (New York Giants) and Charles Tillman (Chicago Bears).
The winner, who will receive $100,000 for his foundation or a charity of his choice, will be announced on March 18 at the NFLPA’s annual Board of Representatives Meeting. The award was established by the professional football players of America to acknowledge a debt of gratitude to one of their own, Supreme Court Justice Byron Raymond “Whizzer” White–scholar, athlete, patriot, humanitarian and public servant. The NFLPA presents this prestigious annual award to the player that is just as dedicated off the field as he is on the field.
Each team’s locker room was given the opportunity to nominate players during the regular season. The NFLPA reviewed the submissions, with each applicant awarded $5,000 for his foundation or charity of his choice. The judges, Charlie Batch, Mike Kenn and Kevin Mawae, narrowed the applicants down to five finalists.
Colquitt is a Pro Bowl punter for the Kansas City Chiefs. His Colquitt for Kids Foundation works with KidsTLC, to assist and ensure a safe environment for children during times of family crisis. Colquitt is also an advocate for TeamSmile, which provides life-changing dental care to youth in need. The Knoxville native and his family established an endowed football scholarship at the University of Tennessee.
Greenway is a two-time Pro Bowl linebacker from Mt. Vernon, South Dakota. Greenway’s Lead The Way Foundation has raised more than $1.3 million dollars over the past six years to provide seriously ill and physically challenged children throughout the Twin Cities with daily support and life-changing experiences. Since Greenway’s NFL debut in 2006, he has annually participated in the Gridiron Gallop 5k Fun Run to continue his dedication to children’s causes.
Jenkins, a safety for the Philadelphia Eagles, earned a ring at Super Bowl XLIV. The Piscataway, New Jersey native created the Malcolm Jenkins Foundation to create positive change for youth living in underserved communities in New Jersey, Ohio, Louisiana and Pennsylvania. Each location represents a location which supported Jenkins at a time in his life. The foundation puts on signature activities around the year, including after-school programs, scholarships, football camps and youth safety initiatives.
McClain, originally from Philadelphia, is a linebacker for the New York Giants. McClain, a Super Bowl XLVII Champion, spent time in and out of The Salvation Army as a child, and now as a spokesman, he gives back to the organization that helped him overcome challenging circumstances. The Boys and Girls Club, Fellowship of Christian Athletes and New York-based FEDCAP are just a few other organizations McClain partners with to aid underserved adults and children.
Tillman, a two-time Pro Bowl player, grew up in Chicago and is a cornerback for his hometown Bears. Tillman founded the Cornerstone Foundation in 2005, and his organization has benefitted more than one million Chicago-area children by providing resources to those in need. For this and his dozens of other community initiatives, he was the 2013 Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year.
Previous Byron R. “Whizzer” White Award Winners
| 2014 | Anquan Boldin, San Francisco 49ers |
| 2013 | Charlie Batch, Pittsburgh Steelers |
| 2012 | Drew Brees, New Orleans Saints |
| 2011 | Tony Richardson, New York Jets |
| 2010 | Nnamdi Asomugha, Oakland Raiders |
| 2009 | Brian Dawkins, Philadelphia Eagles |
| 2008 | Warrick Dunn, Tampa Bay Buccaneers/Atlanta Falcons |
| 2007 | John Lynch, Denver Broncos |
| 2006 | Steve McNair, Tennessee Titans |
| 2005 | Peyton Manning, Indianapolis Colts |
| 2004 | Derrick Brooks, Tampa Bay Buccaneers |
| 2003 | Troy Vincent, Philadelphia Eagles |
| 2002 | Mark Brunell, Jacksonville Jaguars |
| 2001 | Michael McCrary, Baltimore Ravens |
| 2000 | Doug Pelfrey, Cincinnati Bengals |
| 1999 | Cris Carter, Minnesota Vikings |
| 1998 | Hardy Nickerson, Tampa Bay Buccaneers |
| 1997 | Chris Zorich, Chicago Bears |
| 1996 | Bill Brooks, Buffalo Bills |
| 1995 | Derrick Thomas, Kansas City Chiefs |
| 1994 | Mark Kelso, Buffalo Bills |
| 1993 | Nick Lowery, Kansas City Chiefs |
| 1992 | Reggie White, Green Bay Packers |
| 1991 | Mike Kenn, Atlanta Falcons |
| 1990 | Ozzie Newsome, Cleveland Browns |
| 1989 | Mike Singletary, Chicago Bears |
| 1988 | Deron Cherry, Kansas City Chiefs |
| 1987 | George Martin, New York Giants |
| 1986 | Nat Moore, Miami Dolphins |
| 1985 | Reggie Williams, Cincinnati Bengals |
| 1984 | Rolf Benirschke, San Diego Chargers |
| 1983 | Doug Dieken, Cleveland Browns |
| 1982 | Franco Harris, Pittsburgh Steelers |
| 1981 | Ken Houston, Washington Redskins |
| 1980 | Gene Upshaw, Los Angeles Raiders |
| 1979 | Roger Staubach, Dallas Cowboys |
| 1978 | Archie Manning, New Orleans Saints |
| 1977 | Lyle Alzado, Denver Broncos |
| 1976 | Jim Hart, St. Louis Cardinals |
| 1975 | Rocky Bleier, Pittsburgh Steelers |
| 1974 | Floyd Little, Denver Broncos |
| 1973 | Andy Russell, Pittsburgh Steelers |
| 1972 | Ray May, Baltimore Colts |
| 1971 | Kermit Alexander, Los Angeles Rams |
| 1970 | Gale Sayers, Chicago Bears |
| 1969 | Ed Meador, Los Angeles Rams |
| 1968 | Willie Davis, Green Bay Packers |
| 1967 | Bart Starr, Green Bay Packers |
*teams listed throughout indicate team which nominated the player.
