COSTA MESA, CA – Thursday morning the Los Angeles Chargers announced that linebacker Uchenna Nwosu was nominated for the Walter Payton NFL Man Of The Year Award. The award recognizes a player’s great work on and off the field.
“This award’s very prestigious and very hard to win,” Nwosu said. “There’s only one nominee on every team, and I’m sure a lot of these guys in this locker room do a lot of things in the community. For me to be chosen and recognized, it’s an honor.”
It means a great deal for a local guy who grew up in Carson, Caifornia, played his college years at USC, and then get drafted by his hometown team in Los Angeles, one couldn’t write a better script. The city of Carson has produced quite a bit of talent from Nwosu, to TDE (Top Dawg Entertainment) artist Ab-Soul, Reason, Chuck Dizzle (HomeGrown Radio/ Real 923 FM), Ras Kass, Ray-J and singer Brandy to name a few.
Nwosu grew up understanding the value of hard work, and the attitude of giving, and he placed himself in the position to help coach kids from his community at the Boys & Girls Club of Carson. While working with Main Street Clubhouse’s NFL Flag football team, instilling not only what to do on the field but teaching the intangibles for success in life.
Nwosu has donated his time to many worthy causes that include Bikes For Kids Holiday events, food distribution programs, and helped support the Chargers efforts with the Summer Night’s Light program started by Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti.
The NFL Foundation will be making a $50,000 donation to Nwosu’s charity of his choice being nominated for the Award. The winner will be announced on Feb. 1 at NFL Honors ceremony in Miami, Florida.
Nwosu has the heart of a lion on the field, yet has a heart of gold off the field for others through out various communities across Southern California.
