The NFLPA announced former University of Virginia football star Chris Long as the winner of the 2018 Byron “Whizzer” White Community MVP award.
Per the NFLPA’s website, this award is “the highest honor that the NFLPA can bestow upon a player, annually recognizing those who go above and beyond to perform community service in their team cities and hometowns.”
Long, a defensive end for the Super Bowl-bound Philadelphia Eagles, donated all 16 of his regular season game checks to charity. The first six checks went towards funding of two scholarships in his hometown of Charlottesville. Long subsequently donated his final 10 regular season game checks to further his support of educational equity.
Weekly Community MVP awards were given for each of the 18 regular season weeks. From there, the NFLPA notes, “a panel of judges from across labor, media, sport, service and charity narrowed the pool of 18 candidates down to five finalists, each of whom will receive an additional $10,000 for his foundation or charity of choice. The panel included Charlie Batch (former NFL player and 2013 Whizzer White award winner), Mike Jones (NFL writer for USA Today), Kelly Love (VP of Corporate Strategy and Business Development at Delta Private Jets) and Marc Pollick (president and founder of The Giving Back Fund).”
Andy Dalton, Colin Kaepernick, Von Miller and J.J. Watt joined Long as the finalists for this prestigious honor. NFL players voted on the winner, who will receive a $100,000 donation for the foundation or charity of his choice. Long has multiple charitable initiatives you can learn more about by clicking here.
Sorry it took so long. Busy day! Past my bedtime so a quick try at a thank you to everyone who made winning the Byron “Whizzer” White @NFLPA award. So many great men in our league. Anyone could’ve won it. Humbled, honored! #FlyEaglesFly pic.twitter.com/mIacWkxieA
— Chris Long (@JOEL9ONE) February 2, 2018
