Top 10 NFL Players on Santa's "Nice" List By Natalie Faulk December 24, 2013 2:43 am
The media is rife with stories of not-so-nice antics committed by NFL players. These men are supposed to be role models. They are in a position to use their status, exposure, income, reputation, and image in ways unimaginable to influence both young and old and, as such, these "powers" should be used for good. Despite the plethora of negativity surrounding professional sports with stories of infidelities, crimes, substance use and abuse, and the like, it is my pleasure to present some players who are truly nice guys. Sometimes beasts on the field and fiercely competitive players, underneath this facade they are humble, nice, generous gentlemen and I am pleased to present the top 10 nice guys deserving of a tilt of Santa's (and everyone's) hat.It was difficult to select only ten and even more difficult to rank them. As such, there are also a few honorable mentions: Houston's TE Owen Daniels, New Orleans' QB Drew Brees, Atlanta's TE Tony Gonzalez, San Diego's LB Donald Butler, and Indianapolis' long snapper Matt Overton.
10: Charles Tillman, CB Chicago Bears In 2008, Tillman's three-month-old daughter was diagnosed with dilated cardiomyopathy for which she received a heart transplant at six months of age. As a result, Tillman founded his Cornerstone Foundation to help chronically ill children. This foundation is one of the biggest charitable foundations in the NFL, having impacted the lives of over one million children in the Chicago area.Tillman has also been honored with the 2013 Chicago Defender's Men of Excellence Award, as the 2012 NFL Salute to Service winner, and as the 2012 Champions for Children's Award winner. He has also been named a finalist for the 2012 NFLPA Byron "Whizzer" White Man of the Year Award and was a finalist for the Walter Payton Man of the Year award in 2011. 
9: Cam Newton, QB Carolina Panthers The Cam Newton Foundation's mission is "Every 1 Learns-Plays-Cares-Matters" and Newton's commitment to improving the lives of young people and families has been overtly evident this year. In addition to his online Super Cam Club which enables fans to support his foundation for every touchdown he scores, Newton hosted a Thanksgiving meal for 825 local kids and families, has donated over $225,000 to six local middle schools through his School Pride Partner School program to support education, and has also been actively visiting and supporting local area children's hospitals. In addition to sponsoring these events, Newton makes it a point to attend and actively participate in his foundation's events. Plus he is having a phenomenal year on the field.
8: Ryan Mathews, RB San Diego ChargersIn addition to having a breakout year for the Chargers, Mathews epitomizes character both on and off the field. He and his mother Trish are very active with their Door of Hope Chest that helps mothers with children create stable households. This foundation is very personal to them both. When Mathews was born, his mother--only 16 years of age--was kicked out of the home to care for her infant son alone. She succeeded by working three jobs at a time but never lost hope. The Door of Hope (affiliated with the Salvation Army) enables mothers in similar situations to make a life for themselves and provides emotional and financial support to create a new home for themselves.Mathews is also involved in Strike 4 Kids charity which provides free access to golf and bowling events to promote youth enrichment, non-violent youth interaction, and positive adult role models for kids. Proceeds from charity-sponsored tournaments helps purchase school supplies, backpacks, and other necessary goods for children in need.
7: Peyton Manning, QB Denver BroncosThere is, perhaps, no single player more heavily lauded professionally and personally than Broncos' quarterback Peyton Manning. He is ubiquitous in numerous television commercials and with endorsements; however, there is far more to this generous man.Manning's PeyBack Foundation seeks to improve the lives of abused, neglected, underprivileged, and foster children in Indiana, Louisiana, Tennessee, and Colorado to provide opportunities in which these youth can grow and learn through summer camps, after-school programs, and other kid-friendly venues. Manning is not only the foundation's president but is also involved in all major decisions and activities.It is obvious that Manning has a big heart. When the Broncos played the Colts on October 20th this season and Indianapolis honored its former star, the gratitude on Manning's face is something that more players should display because it is their fans who make them the people they are today.
6: Colin Kaepernick, QB San Francisco 49ers Kaepernick was adopted by parents who had previously lost two babies to heart defects. As a result, he is very active in Camp Taylor which provides a free, medically-supervised camp that supports children and families with kids who have heart disease and defects. The camp's motto is Kids Meet...Scars Blend...Wonders Happen!Recently, Kap attended the high school graduation ceremony of his alma mater, Pitman High School in Turlock, CA, to address the graduating class and to say farewell to one of his favorite football coaches, Brandon Harris. Kap's play this season has also been rather noteworthy as his team is likely en route to the playoffs..
5: Vincent Jackson, WR Tampa Bay Buccaneers VJ's Jackson in Action 83 Foundation strives to provide support to military families by focusing upon educational, emotional, and physical health of the children of these families. His foundation seeks to help military families retain strong ties during and between deployments. Jackson--the son of two military parents--knows personally the difficulties that these heroes face and is active in a variety of military endeavors such as visiting deployed soldiers during the offseason.And speaking firsthand, I have to say that VJ is one of the nicest, most genuine, and most humble players I have ever had the pleasure of meeting (on several occasions) and remains among my all-time favorite players.
4: J.J. Watt, DE Houston TexansThe Justin J. Watt Foundation's motto is "Dream Big, Work Hard" and Watt exemplifies this daily. His foundation strives to "provide after-school opportunities for children in the community to become involved in athletics, so that they may learn the basic character traits of accountability, teamwork, leadership, work ethic and perseverance while in a safe and supervised environment with their peers" ( http://jjwfoundation.org/). Not only is Watt active in his foundation but he makes time in his uber busy schedule to meet some of his biggest fans and his Facebook page is filled with his heartwarming endeavors. For example, this year alone Watt touched the hearts and lives of some special people. When Watt learned that six-year old Breanna was sad that she couldn't marry her favorite player, Watt enlisted the aid of the Twitter-sphere, found and went to visit her, proposed with a ring pop and flowers, and gave her one of his favorite jerseys as a wedding dress. Watt also visited Itzy Cagen--the world's oldest surviving quadriplegic and Watt's self-proclaimed biggest fan. And let's not forget 12-year-old leukemia patient Cristian Beasley. Watt may be a big guy but his heart is even bigger.
3: Troy Polamalu, SS Pittsburgh SteelersIn 2011, Sports Illustrated polled 222 NFL players on who they thought the nicest guy in the league was and Polamalu won the honor. This leader-by-example continues to exude philanthropy and goodwill both off the field and as a leader on his team. The Troy & Theodora Polamalu Foundation currently supports a number of humanitarian causes: providing aid to American Samoa to those displaced by the 2009 tsunami and to improve the safety and playing conditions for young athletes; Pittsburgh's Children's Hospital; FOCUSNA Back Pack Feeding Program, the VA Hospital in Pittsburgh, Fa'a American Samoa Camp, and various military-focused charitable opportunities as they arise. 
2: Jason Witten, TE Dallas CowboysWitten is not only one of the top tight ends in the league but among the NFL's most generous players. His SCORE Foundation seeks to break the cycle of domestic violence throughout the state. His foundation has also launched a new program in Arlington high schools called "Coaching Boys into Men" to address the dangers of dating violence; built and dedicated Jason Witten Learning Centers in Dallas, Elizabethton, TN (his hometown), and Knoxville, TN; launched the Play.Move.SCORE program at Boys & Girls Clubs in Dallas and Fort Worth; hosted the 10th annual Jason Witten Football Camp; and funded a new Jason Witten-themed emergency waiting room at the Children's Hospital in Johnson City, TN. Witten is also an avid Play60 supporter.This year Witten also won the Bart Starr Award and the Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year Award--the first player to ever win both awards in the same season.
1: Larry Fitzgerald, WR Arizona CardinalsIn a recent poll by E-Poll Marketing Research, Fitz attained a remarkable 74% most-liked rate. Even vociferous Seattle CB Richard Sherman won't trash-talk Fitz, calling him one of the nicest guys in the league. Fitz's First Down Fund supports a number of charities and other philanthropic endeavors. This year alone, Fitz--along with Riddell--donated helmets to Minneapolis' Parks and Recreation's Youth Football Program; he joined the Oxfam's trip to Senegal to improve access to income, food, and security; and he was honored with the Alfred J. Molina Community Lifeline Award. All of this in addition to being an on-field superstar who is finally having a good season with a newly-improved offense on a team that may be playoff-bound this year. http://www.footballnation.com/content/top-10-nfl-players-santas-nice-list/27542/
