NFL Honors: Texans DE J.J. Watt named Walter Payton Man of the Year

J.J. Watt has been named the 2017 NFL Walter Payton Man of the Year.

The Texans defensive end raised more than $37 million in less than three weeks to aid the relief efforts in Houston following Hurricane Harvey. The other finalists for the award, announced Saturday at the NFL Honors show in Minneapolis, were Panthers tight end Greg Olsen and Ravens TE Benjamin Watson.

The prestigious award honors NFL players who have shown not just excellence on the field, but have been leaders in volunteer and charity work.

Congratulations to @JJWatt! The 2017 Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year, presented by @nationwide! #WPMOY pic.twitter.com/O9LvPuN2xZ
— NFL (@NFL) February 4, 2018

Watt, who has missed most of the past two seasons to injuries, is a three-time NFL Defensive Player of the Year for the Texans. He has long been active in charitable causes and stepped up big in the wake of Hurricane Harvey, which devastated Houston. He began a fund-raising campaign with a goal of $200,000, which he matched the first $100,000. The campaign quickly went viral and Watt was overwhelmed by the donations that kept flooding in.

In addition to the hurricane-relief efforts, his Justin J. Watt Foundation, founded in 2010, has provided more than $3.4 million in funding for youth sports.

"We have long been proud and appreciative of J.J.'s passion and authentic care for others as he has consistently given back to the community, created memories for all ages and positively impacted lives around the world," Texans founder Bob McNair said last month. "J.J. is one of the most selfless, giving and inspiring young men in the NFL and we are proud he is a Houston Texan."

Olsen and his wife, Kara, founded the HEARTest Yard Fund in 2013 after an exam of their unborn son, T.J., revealed the infant had a congenital heart defect. The couple have not only donated their own money toward pediatric heart equipment and screening, but headline an annual gala that has raised almost $4 million in only three years. The HEARTest Yard Fund unveiled a new cardiac neurodevelopmental program in 2017.

Watson, who missed all of the 2016 season with an Achilles injury, returned this season to haul in 61 passes for 522 yards and four touchdowns. He has been hailed for his work in a variety of charitable efforts, but his One More Foundation supports both existing charities and initiates programs of its own in working to combat human trafficking and violence against the poor. He also hosts the Big BENefit, which offers 25 underserved families an opportunity to provide holiday gifts for their children.

Watt will receive $500,000, half of which will go to a charity of his choice and half of which will support the expansion of Character Playbook across the country. Character Playbook is the NFL and United Way's digital education program that teaches middle school students how to cultivate and maintain healthy relationships. As the runners-up, Olsen and Watson will each receive a $100,000 donation to their charity of choice and a $100,000 donation in their names to expand Character Playbook.

All other 29 team nominees received a $50,000 donation to their charity of choice and an additional $50,000 donation in their names to expand Character Playbook. All donations are courtesy of the NFL Foundation, Nationwide and United Way Worldwide