Former Kentucky linebacker Wesley Woodyard was awarded a coveted honor on Friday.

He was named the Tennessee Titans’ nominee for the Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year award.

Woodyard has been with the Titans since 2014. Before that, he spent six seasons with the Denver Broncos.

So far in the 2017 NFL season, Woodyard has racked up 99 tackles to go along with three sacks. His 99 tackles lead all Titans defenders. This has been his best season in quite some time.

Of course, to win the “Man of the Year” award, you’ve got to be excellent not only on the field, but off the field too.

One of Woodyard’s greatest off-the-field contributions has been his 16WAYS foundation, which benefits youth.

“It’s a huge honor,” Woodyard said about being a nominee for the award. “Any time you get a chance to be compared to a great guy like Walter Payton, it means the world to me. The groundwork he put down in the past, and showing guys what to do in the community, it still inspires people to this day.

“I love working in the community and I love trying to make a change with others. And I really feel like it is my purpose to be here, to make a difference in their world and make a difference in their lives.”

Woodyard played for the Wildcats from 2004 to 2007. As a senior in ’07, he started every game for the ‘Cats and led the team with 139 tackles.

He was a back-to-back All-SEC First Team selection in ’06 and ’07.

 

The Walter Payton Man of the Year award will be handed out during the week of the Super Bowl in February.