Matt Bosher named teams man of year candidate

FLOWERY BRANCH — Punter Matt Bosher was named the Atlanta Falcons’ nominee for the 2012 Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year award on Tuesday.

Bosher, a two-year veteran with the Atlanta Falcons, is a 2010 graduate of the University of Miami with a degree in History.

“Receiving an award like this is truly humbling,” Bosher said in a statement. “I am very lucky and appreciate all the Atlanta Falcons organization has done to provide me with opportunities to give back to the community. Since my first day as an NFL player I have learned that I have the ability to make a difference.”

During the season, Bosher made five surprise visits to Gwinnett County Fire stations to thank service men and women for their hard work and dedication in the community in commemoration of September 11.

Along with fellow teammates, he signed autographs, took photographs and toured the different stations. He signed autographs and took photographs with fans at a Publix Super Market in Newnan, as part of the Falcons Tailgate team.

He attended the 4th Annual Atlanta Falcons Dazzle & Dine event, which honors five breast cancer survivors for their commitment to the fight against breast cancer.

Prior to dinner, the ladies were treated to special day at Jamison Shaw Hairdressers where they received hair, makeup and nail services. Bosher invited his mother, a breast-cancer survivor, and spoke to the group about his personal experience.

Bosher joined the entire roster along with team executives, front office staff and members of the Atlanta Falcons Women’s Association in this year’s Hometown Huddle event.

This year, the Falcons hosted Play 60 fitness visits at six United Way affiliated elementary schools in metro Atlanta, made an additional stop at a local Publix Super Market and the Atlanta Falcons Women’s Association prepared and served lunch to the homeless at Crossroads Community Ministries.

Bosher participated in the Atlanta Falcons First Down for Fitness event at Marbut Elementary Theme School in Lithonia, where he helped lead an Atlanta Falcons Gatorade Junior Training Camp and coached the children through the various football stations.

He signed autographs, took photographs and visited patients at the Shepherd Spinal Center, attended the annual Atlanta Falcons FootBowl tournament to benefit Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta at the 300 Bowling Alley and attended a VIP experience at Cirque Du Soleil in Atlantic Station where he interacted with the performers and promoted upcoming performances.

And, finally, Bosher hosted and purchased a catered Thanksgiving meal, alongside teammates Matt Bryant and Josh Harris, for 250 women and children at the Atlanta Mission.

Bosher has participated in all 13 games this season with 48 punts for 2,275 yards with a 47.4 average.

Since 1970, the NFL has awarded the Walter Payton NFL Man of the year Award to recognize a player’s off-the-field community service as well as his playing excellence. Each club is responsible for selecting their own nominee while the 2011 national Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year winner will be selected by a blue ribbon panel and recognized on field before kickoff of the Super Bowl.


(blogs.ajc.com)