Dalton named Bengals nominee for Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year

Three of them will be selected as finalists for the award in January, and the winner be announced at the NFL Honors in Houston the night before the Super Bowl.

Each nominee will receive a donation to a charity of his choice and, for the first time they also will receive a donation in their name to implement the NFL and United Way’s Character Playbook Program in their team’s home market.

The Character Playbook is an education initiative focused on youth character development and healthy relationships.

Dalton and his wife Jordan launched their foundation in 2011 with the mission to provide daily support, opportunities, resources and life-changing experiences to seriously ill and physically challenged children and their families in Cincinnati and Fort Worth.

The Andy & Jordan Dalton Foundation has raised $2.1 million and has reached the lives of nearly 2.5 million individuals through its five signature community outreach programs.

Defensive end Carlos Dunlap was the Bengals nominee for the Payton award last year.

Here is a list of all 32 nominees announced Wednesday: