Champ Bailey named Broncos "Man of the Year"

For the second consecutive year, our rockstar CB Champ Bailey has been named "Man of the Year" by our Denver Broncos organization.

This award recognizes a player who displays oustanding leadership both on the field and in the community.

Bailey has been strongly dedicated to the Denver Rescue Mission as well as it Broncos' Youth Center. The Mission Center offers long-term rehabilitation and transitional housing to Denver-area individuals and families in need of assistance. The 8-time Pro Bowler will receive $10,000 to be given to a charity of his choice for his efforts off the field.

Daniel Graham, Darrell Reid and Ryan Harris were the other finalists for the honor and each will receive $2,000 to be given to a charity of their choice.

Other players who were named Denver Broncos Community Ambassadors include Josh Barrett, Ryan Clady, Tony Scheffler, David Bruton, D.J. Johnson, Kenny Peterson, Jack Williams and Wesley Woodyard for their "up-and-coming" leadership in the Denver community.

Champ Bailey will be put in a pool of 32 league nominees for the National Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year honor, which will be announced at Super Bowl XLIV on February 7, 2010 in Miami.

John Elway is the only Bronco in history to receive this prestigious honor (1992), originally initiated in 1970 and then renamed in 1999 to honor the Chicago Bears' Hall of Fame RB Walter Payton. Other Broncos that have been nominated include Dominique Foxworth (2007), Rod Smith (2004, 2006), John Lynch (2005), Ian Gold (2003) and Ed McCaffrey (2002).

Congrats to Bailey for this honor. Definitely a class-act that deserves to be recognized for his off-field contributions. And congrats to all the other players recognized for their charitable services and off-the-field leadership. Makes me even more proud to be a fan of a team that is filled with players with hearts of gold.